Westcotec reduces traffic speed with IoT connectivity

Westcotec specialises in intelligent traffic technology and smart city solutions. From its base in Norfolk, UK, the company designs, develops and manufactures a range of solutions including speed and warning signs, flood alerts, bridge height warnings and collision avoidance systems.

The company’s 150+ product portfolio includes vehicle-activated signs that help increase speed awareness by displaying a smiley face to drivers within the limit and an unhappy face to those exceeding it. Meanwhile, Westcotec’s flood-level monitoring systems alert motorists to real-time water depths so they can make informed decisions whether to continue along their routes.

Across its range, Westcotec has deployed over 15,000 signs in the UK .

Westcotec prides itself on being responsive to customer needs. As well as a wide range of signs for different situations, the company also manufactures bespoke solutions to meet individual requirements. Now, many customer applications need connectivity so operators can exchange data with the signs to support their operations.

“There has been a big shift, a lot from the pandemic, where teams that were 15 or 20-strong, are now five or fewer,” explains Olly Samways, sales director at Westcotec. “So, our customers are more reliant on their providers to get them information. It’s a lot more data and more will be coming online.”

Local councils are among Westcotec’s customers, for signs installed around schools where reduced speed limits apply. However, some limits apply only during school hours, so the councils need remote access to change sign settings without physical visits. This helps with efficiency, as Olly explains: “An engineer can’t go around 200 sites with a tablet. They don’t have time, so those signs have been identified to upgrade with SIMs.”

Westcotec turned to Wireless Logic to connect its signs simply, reliably and securely. Being cellular, Wireless Logic’s solution is cable-free and its extensive security measures help defend against, detect and react to cyber threats.

Now, Westcotec’s customers are equipped to set parameters and programme signs remotely. Olly says: “School signs upload time periods, so instead of a sign illuminating for seven hours, it comes on only when children are there—morning, lunchtime and evening.”

Local councils can now connect signs to gather details of vehicles transgressing traffic restrictions on ‘school streets’ during drop-off and pick-up times. “These signs come on for this period and are enforceable,” says Olly. “Once they’re illuminated, a third-party ANPR camera takes an image of contravening vehicles.”

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Westcotec’s remote access speed indicator signs have brought about a 35% average reduction in speed in, with councils and parishes in the UK now adopting them as part of traffic calming measures. credits Westcotec’s matrix speed signs and ANPR system with enabling a speed limit reduction to 30mph along its perimeter road. According to the Metropolitan Police, the signs and cameras have led to a 70 per cent decrease in collisions.

The Heathrow success story is an example of the contribution Wireless Logic’s cybersecurity features have made to Westcotec securing new business, as Olly outlines: “We were quite reliant on information from Wireless Logic because if it wasn’t vetted, and wasn’t secure enough, we wouldn’t have won the job and had subsequent renewals. It was all based on the cybersecurity we were able to provide from the SIM information and cloud system.”

Westcotec show how IoT for good improves safety with IoT connectivity from Wireless Logic

Background

Westcotec specialises in intelligent traffic technology and smart city solutions. From its base in Norfolk, UK, the company designs, develops and manufactures a range of solutions including speed and warning signs, flood alerts, bridge height warnings and collision avoidance systems.

The Challenge

The Solution

Westcotec turned to Wireless Logic to connect its signs simply, reliably and securely. Being cellular, Wireless Logic’s solution is cable-free and its extensive security measures help defend against, detect and react to cyber threats.

The Outcome

"As a long-standing customer of Wireless Logic, commitment and trust has built up together over many years; the team has supported our entire journey, and this has allowed us to continue our expansion with confidence."

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