Linz’s first contactless traffic light is on

Linz. A traffic light with ‘touchless function’ and state-of-the-art 1W LED technology has been installed for the first time in Austria. The innovative button detects movements in front of the front panel, as a result of which a contactless green dial is automatically initiated, without the need to touch the button.

The new traffic light system with state-of-the-art 1W energy-saving technology was commissioned this week by Vice Mayor of Mobility Martin Haggart and Guenter Schalminer, Director of the Upper Austria Branch, Siemens AG Austria.

Contactless recording hygienically updated

A traffic light with “non-touch function” with modern 1W LED technology has been installed for the first time in Austria. Contactless recording avoids hundreds of people having to click on the same recording test every day. “This function relies on modern technology and is not just very modern for hygiene reasons. The inconvenience of operating the dial buttons is now a thing of the past,” Deputy Mayor Haggart said during a personal on-site inspection.

The innovative button detects movements in front of the front panel, as a result of which a contactless green dial is automatically initiated, without the need to touch the button. The innovative traffic light system is particularly economical and requires up to 90 percent less energy than previous systems.

The advanced LED signals with innovative 24V/1-Watt technology contain highly sensitive electronics with self-monitoring function and, thanks to smart sensors, achieve the highest SIL3 safety class available in traffic engineering. 204 traffic lights are in operation in Linz. The city of Linz currently operates 204 traffic lights with about 10,000 traffic lights. As one of the few cities in Austria, since 2022 Linz no longer has any incandescent (VLSA) traffic light systems (widespread use of LED signals). The new technology, called “1 Watt Technology” is significantly more economical than previously installed LEDs with a typical power consumption of about 17 Watts per light indication, which helps reduce the additional burden on the budget due to the current development of electricity prices.

More systems planned

“By using our technologies, we can support cities in becoming more sustainable by reducing the energy consumption of their infrastructure, as shown here in the example of traffic lights,” says Gunter Schalminer, director of Siemens’ Upper Austria branch. “After the successful operation of the system, VLP (Very Low Power) – 1 Watt technology will be used extensively in future projects, provided it makes economic or technical sense,” Deputy Mayor Martin Haggart explains in the conclusion.