Press Releases

28th August 2004

Retro Refit Market Shines Brightly For Motus Traffic

It is over a year since Motus Traffic introduced the Alu Star FuturLED 3 intelligent LED signal head to the UK market. Gareth Heywood, of Motus Traffic, a company specialising in traffic systems integration, says that the product is now winning recognition in the market. "We have many installations throughout the UK using these signal heads and there are definitely people out there who are keen to try this technology."

The FuturLED 3 signal head is a more advanced system of LED signalisation than has been previously available in the UK using a central light source rather than many LED's distributed inside the signal. Using high flux LED's providing a high light output, it has been possible to reduce the number of LED's per aspect to 12 for 200mm units and to 18 for 300mm units. The LED's are arranged in clusters mounted on a small surface, which allows optimum light direction through a "fresno" lens. This combination retains the excellent light characteristics found in conventional incandescent bulb traffic signals with all the advantages of LED powered technology.

These benefits include, of course, reduced power consumption. All 200mm units (Red/Amber/Green) now consume 18W and 300mm units (Red/Green) consume 24W. The other major advantage of using LED technology is the long performance life and although these units are warranted to give five years, they are expected to exceed seven years even under extreme operating conditions.

The life cycle is enhanced, explains Gareth, because although the number of LED's has been reduced, the remaining ones do not have to be operated at their nominal current. "Operating the diodes below nominal current contributes to extended LED life by exerting less electrical and heat stress onto the semi conductor elements."

Other features of note include a specially designed lens which offers a high degree of protection against possible damage from traffic flow and vandalism, plus an intelligent LCU (Load Compensation Unit) provides advanced red lamp and lamp monitoring which is compatible with Siemens, PEEK and Microsense controllers.

The FuturLED 3 module lends itself as a practical retro refit replacement unit for existing tungsten/halogen installations and Motus Traffic is now seriously targeting the retro refit market. "Retro refit is becoming an important market for us. For authorities operating on very tight budgets, retro refit enables them to access the benefits of LED's without major investment. The fact that the FuturLED 3 module is compatible with most standard UK approved signal head housings makes this a viable option for most authorities."

"In particular we have found a very strong uptake for our 300mm green arrow, which is a very cost effective way to replace failing 300mm fibre optic arrows. However, we offer a range of lenses including RAG, Red Man/Green Man, Ahead/Left, Right Arrows plus the Toucan Cycle Symbol, the Equestrian Symbol, in fact any variation that the customer wants."

In a typical retro refit, the new unit entirely replaces the lens, reflector, lamp holder, lamp, wiring and transformer leaving the old hood and trims in place. "It is surprisingly quick and easy to do." says Gareth. "We now have sites all over the country where we have retro refit signal heads and our local authority and city customers have been very pleased and surprised at the ease of the installations and the short time taken to upgrade a site."

In the UK the uptake in LED technology has been relatively slow but despite this, Gareth Heywood says that Motus Traffic is now making definite inroads in the market.

"We have a good, technically sound and advanced product and we are offering a very good service. Most important of all, we are offering a very competitively priced product. This is making it possible for local authorities to try out the technology where previously they would have been deterred by the cost."

About Motus Traffic Ltd.

Motus Traffic matches the latest traffic technology product with exact customer needs to meet the growing pressure on today's transport infrastructure. Combining a portfolio of innovative products, individual client attention and superior customer support, Motus Traffic delivers Integrated Traffic Solutions.

Contact Motus Traffic Ltd.

Jim Booth
Managing Director
+44 (0) 1142 617394
jim.booth@motustraffic.com