O’Dowd tours Traffic Information and Control Centre in Belfast

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has visited Traffic Information & Control Centre (TICC) in Belfast today.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd at the Traffic Information & Control Centre

The Minister toured the facilities and met with staff who work to carry out a variety of functions, including traffic control; dissemination of traffic and travel information; incident management; and out of hours call handling.

The Minister said:

“I was most impressed with the facilities and dedication of staff on display here today.  Traffic Information and Control Centre is staffed 24/7 as operators work to keep traffic flowing as freely as possible, particularly during the morning and evening peak hours or during major events.

“I was fascinated to see the technology in operation, including the 185 permanent CCTV traffic cameras which monitor the road network across the North and the computerised Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system which allows staff to monitor and control the traffic signals at junctions in Belfast¸ Bangor, Newry Carrickfergus and Lisburn. This system permits staff to make changes to timings, if necessary, to help keep traffic moving and prevent congestion from building up.

“When an incident occurs on a major network, staff in TICC update the overhead signs and set advisory speed limits on the motorway network, Westlink, A1 and A6 via a Motorway Control System.

“As traffic returns to normal levels following the pandemic, TICC staff will continue to monitor traffic flow and work with partners in PSNI to ensure traffic information is conveyed to the public and that the network is safe and operating at its optimum capability.”

For traffic information from TICC please see Trafficwatchni or follow their Twitter account @trafficwatchni.

Notes to editors: 

1. There are 185 permanent CCTV traffic cameras throughout the North and these provide a visual aid to monitor the network.  The cameras cover Belfast City Centre, the motorway network and other strategic routes, including the A1 to Newry and the Belfast Rapid Transit routes.  Additional cameras have recently been installed in Coleraine, Derry, Omagh, Cookstown and on the A6 Belfast to Derry route.
2. Incident and event management are integral parts of the TICC operation.
   Regular meetings are held with stakeholders including PSNI, Belfast City Council, SSE Arena, Titanic Belfast and Belfast Harbour Police.  Through these fora, planned events have special traffic management plans developed and implemented with the aim of ensuring that journey times are optimised for road users.
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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