City of New Westminster to use technology to solve congestion issues

New Westminster – To address traffic and congestion, the City of New Westminster will be implementing the latest in high tech robotic traffic control devices as the first action item resulting from the newly established Mayor’s Task Force on Transportation. 

“Transportation is a significant issue in our community and we need to look to all the latest technologies to help manage our mounting traffic problem,” said New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel either. The technology we’re looking at has been implemented very effectively in other parts of the world”.

Major intersections in the City will be retrofitted to accommodate high tech robotic traffic control devices. Dubbed iTrafficEnforcer1000* and standing 12 feet tall, the giant robots will feature green, yellow and red lights and be equipped with surveillance cameras that can provide real- time traffic information to city staff. In addition to providing information and data, the robots will enhance road safety with motion technology and built-in cameras and can rotate to stare down, intimidate and record traffic violators while providing license plate and vehicle description information to police.

“We believe that in this day in age, some drivers tend not to respect traditional traffic control devices,” said Coté. “But research and anecdotal evidence tells us that people will pay attention to giant robots.”

Two iTrafficEnforcer1000s will be activated as part of a pilot project at two city intersections: 1^st Street and Royal Avenue and McBride and Sixth Avenues.

“As New Westminster grows, we will continue to look for new and innovative ways to serve the community,” said Mayor Coté. “While some may say this solution sounds foolish, I strongly feel that today is the perfect day to announce this important initiative.”

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Contact:
Mayor Jonathan Coté
jcote@newwestcity.ca or 778-773-1364