Yunex Traffic supports ITS UK ‘Stuck On Red’ campaign highlighting urgent need to modernise traffic signal infrastructure

Poole, UK, 19 May 2026: Yunex Traffic is supporting Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) and its new ‘StuckonRed’ campaign, which highlights the urgent need to modernise ageing traffic signal infrastructure across the UK.

The campaign brings the industry together to raise awareness of the scale of the challenge facing local authorities and central government, with a significant proportion of traffic signal assets now approaching or exceeding their intended operational life. Without intervention, this growing backlog risks constraining network performance, increasing maintenance burden, and limiting the ability of road networks to adapt to future mobility demands.

Addressing a hidden but critical infrastructure challenge

Public debate around the road network often focuses on visible issues such as potholes. However, the ‘StuckonRed’ campaign from ITS UK draws attention to the less visible but equally important challenge: obsolescent traffic technology.

Ageing signal infrastructure can have far-reaching implications. As assets deteriorate, they become more expensive to maintain, less efficient to operate, and less capable of supporting modern traffic management approaches. This impacts not only motorists, but all road users – affecting journey times, safety outcomes and overall network efficiency.

Modernising traffic signal systems is therefore a key enabler of more responsive, data-led traffic management and a necessary step in preparing road networks for emerging technologies, including increasingly connected and automated transport systems.

Preparing for the future of mobility

Refreshing traffic signal infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring that road networks are ready for the future. Newer technologies provide the capability to collect and process real-time data, optimise traffic flows dynamically, and integrate with wider smart city systems.

By contrast, legacy systems often lack the connectivity and flexibility required to support these advances, creating a barrier to innovation and limiting the potential benefits of new mobility solutions.

The ITS UK campaign highlights the need for a coordinated, long-term approach to upgrading traffic signal assets, ensuring that the UK can fully realise the opportunities presented by digitalisation and emerging technologies in transport.

Reducing cyber risk in connected infrastructure

As traffic management systems become increasingly connected, cyber resilience is a growing priority.

Older traffic signal assets were not designed with today’s security requirements in mind, meaning that legacy infrastructure can present increased vulnerability in a modern, networked environment. Addressing obsolescence is therefore not only an operational and performance issue, but also a critical step in strengthening the resilience of transport infrastructure.

Investing in modern, secure systems supports more robust and resilient networks, helping to mitigate risk while enabling the safe deployment of new capabilities.

Supporting sustainability and reducing operational costs

In addition to improving performance and resilience, modernising traffic signal infrastructure can deliver clear sustainability benefits.

Older systems are typically less energy efficient, particularly where they rely on outdated components and technologies. Upgrading to more modern equipment can significantly reduce energy consumption, contributing to wider carbonisation objectives while lowering operational costs for authorities.

Over time, these efficiencies can provide a strong return on investment, reinforcing the case for a strategic, long-term approach to renewal.

A call for long-term, coordinated investment

At the heart of the ‘StuckonRed’ campaign is a call for a sustained, coordinated programme of investment to address traffic signal obsolescence across the UK.

A rolling, long-term approach would enable local authorities to manage upgrades more effectively, tackle the backlog in a structured way, and maximise the benefits of modernisation over time. It would also support the wider adoption of intelligent transport solutions that improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance the overall performance of the road network.

Supporting industry collaboration

Yunex Traffic is supporting the campaign as part of its ongoing commitment to delivering intelligent traffic solutions that help cities and highway authorities improve mobility, enhance safety, and operate more sustainably.

The company’s involvement reflects the importance of industry collaboration in addressing shared challenges and ensuring that transport infrastructure continues to evolve in line with changing societal and technological needs.