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Revolutionary technology that allows motorists to switch traffic lights from red to green is being rolled out across Newcastle.  

The pioneering new gadget will let emergency vehicles drive without getting stuck at the lights by allowing drivers to 'talk' directly to the city's Urban Traffic Management Control (UTMC).

In the first pilot of its kind in the UK, North East Ambulance Service vehicles will be fitted with the system in the hope it will cut down on journey times for patients, improve safety and cut fuel bills.

Driver's dream? In the first pilot of its kind in the UK, the system (pictured) is also able to warn drivers of obstacles on the road, give ambulances priority at lights and allow drivers to adjust their speed

The software will also improve safety as well as reducing congestion and pollution by helping motorists to drive more efficiently. It will warn drivers of obstacles on the road and allow drivers to adjust their speed so they can pass through a series of green lights. 

Led by Newcastle University in collaboration with Newcastle City Council, Siemens and the NEAS, the system has initially been fitted to non-emergency Patient Transport Service vehicles based at the Newcastle's Freeman Hospital. 

Ray King, UTMC manager, said: 'This is about optimising the network. 'The NHS vehicles are transporting patients to hospital for treatment and they don't want to be held up in traffic unnecessarily, delaying appointments for other patients and wasting taxpayer's money.

Game changer: The aim of the new system is to improve safety and reduce congestion and pollution by helping motorists to drive more efficiently (Clare Swift, Environmental and Sustainability Manager for North East Ambulance and Ray King, Urban Traffic Management and Control Manager, pictured)

'If we can speed up their journey, giving them priority at lights where appropriate, then it not only reduces fuel bills and delays but also improves patient care.

'The aim of the pilot is to show it could work - that giving priority and personalised information to drivers can have a significant impact on how we drive and the conditions on our roads. This is just the first step.'

For the first wave of the pilot, 20 traffic signals at key junctions have been fitted with the system.

If it is successful, its developers are planning to role it out across the whole of Newcastle and expand its use to taxis and HGVs.

Paul Liversidge, NEAS chief operating officer, said: 'Trialling technology like this in a real setting gives a more valuable understanding of how it could add more value to ambulance services throughout the UK.

'This new system has the potential to further improve how efficiently we run the service, ensuring we get to our patients on time and they get to their appointments on time and reducing our carbon footprint.

'As the region's only public sector ambulance service, improving the experience people have on board our vehicles is at the heart of what we do.'

 As well as the priority system, the team are also implementing a 'Forward Collision Warning' system, which notifies drivers of obstacles on the road, a 'Red Light Violation Warning' system, which tells drivers when someone on the road ahead has jumped a red light, and an 'Energy Efficient Intersection' service, which advises the driver of the best speed in order to pass through a series of traffic lights on green.

Phil Blythe, Newcastle University's Professor of Transport, said: 'Traffic management systems are already in place across the city to improve traffic flow but what's unique about this trial is that we will be giving personalised information directly to the driver.

'For example, the system might advise a driver that if they travel at 24 miles an hour they will hit the next four sets of traffic lights on green.

'In more congested areas or particularly busy times of the day, then vehicles on key roads might be given priority in order to keep the traffic flowing.

'These are exciting times in the world of transport and here in Newcastle we are leading the way - taking the first step towards a fully automated system with intelligent infrastructure and, eventually, driverless cars.'

It is hoped the system will play a key role in turning Newcastle into a 'smart' city of the future.