The Cabinet is implementing new traffic management measures in St John’s, starting with experiments to modify traffic lights during peak hours to address mounting congestion concerns in the capital city.
During Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Lionel Hurst explained that studies have shown there’s an improved flow at certain intersections when traffic signals are turned off and are in flashing mode only, rather than following the standard sequence.
“We know that many of the streets become clogged at points where there are traffic lights,” Hurst said. “The agreement is to ensure that when the traffic lights are merely flashing rather than coordinated red, green, or amber, the movement of traffic is greater.”
The initiative will begin with testing the effectiveness of flashing signals during rush hours, which span from 7 to 10:30 am and 3:30 to 5:30 pm.
To support these efforts, the authorities will deploy additional resources to manage traffic flow, including six additional motorcycles currently not being used to be outfitted with lights and sirens in order to supplement the effort at traffic control.
While acknowledging this is an experimental approach, Hurst indicated that more comprehensive solutions might be needed if traffic congestion continues to worsen.
“If it continues to get busier and busier, then maybe some additional methodologies will be applied; but first we’re going to fix it with the lights,” he stated.
Cabinet will also assess other traffic management solutions being implemented in other countries.
“We know what is being done in some places — in London and New York,” Hurst noted. “They have these taxes that they impose on vehicles that enter into certain spaces … these kinds of inventions are being utilised all over and maybe they’ll get to Antigua and Barbuda soon enough,” the Chief of Staff said.
