Liverpool City Council, McCann and Signify pioneer traffic adaptive lighting to drive energy efficiency and sustainability

Liverpool City Council, in collaboration with McCann and Signify, are implementing a cutting-edge Traffic Adaptive Lighting system to enhance urban safety, improve energy efficiency, and modernise the city’s lighting infrastructure.

This pilot project, funded by the ADEPT LiveLabs2 Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK programme, a three-year, UK-wide £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport that aims to decarbonise the local highway network, positions Liverpool as a leader in smart city innovation, with the potential to roll out the system city-wide if successful. The project is also supported by UpCiti, which uses connected lighting technology to reduce energy use, lower carbon emissions, and enable smart infrastructure management across the city.

Delivered as part of McCann’s Liverpool City Council Maintenance contract, who are responsible for the maintenance and capital works of over 68,000 street lighting assets across the region, the installation covers key routes linking the city center to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, home to Premier League club Everton FC and other major events.

Like many cities, Liverpool faces the challenge of reducing emissions and improving sustainability while continuing to deliver reliable public services. The switch can bring up to 30% in energy savings over the next 10 years. The city also needed to increase safety on match days as routes leading to Everton Stadium experience significant surges in pedestrian and vehicle traffic during events, requiring brighter, adaptive lighting for safety and crowd management. In addition, in the past, the council has relied on public reports to identify lighting failures, leading to delays in repairs and potential safety risks. As budgets tighten and energy costs rise, the city is pursuing innovative, efficient ways to invest in the future.

“We’re proud to be among the first UK local authorities to deploy traffic-adaptive lighting at scale,” said Ali Zahran, Principal Street Lighting Engineer at Liverpool City Council. “This investment is helping us reduce energy consumption, improve operational efficiency, and build a more sustainable, future-ready city. The upgrade responds to the evolving needs of residents while supporting the ambitions of a growing city, delivering smarter infrastructure that enhances safety, efficiency, and the overall urban environment for everyone.”

Liverpool City Council partnered with Signify and McCann to pilot adaptive street lighting, controlled in real time or under event-based control by an intelligent software solution. The system uses Signify LumiStreet Gen2 luminaires, which are connected to the Signify Interact City central management system, and which in turn is linked via API’s to traffic count sensors.  Sensors monitor the traffic volume, allowing the system to automatically adjust lighting levels based on traffic density and thus providing the right light when and where it is needed. For stadium events, Interact City is used to increase lantern output during ingress and egress periods. During these times, the system is operating under event‑based control. The result is improved energy efficiency without compromising safety or visibility.

The lighting control system continuously monitors performance and automatically detects faults to minimise downtime and maintenance costs. It connects both new and existing luminaires, creating a unified lighting network that reduces energy use and supports future citywide upgrades.

John McCann, Managing Director at McCann, added on the awarding of the contract, “We’re proud to be working alongside Liverpool City Council and Signify to ensure the city’s street lighting infrastructure is safe, reliable, and future-ready. Delivering this project as part of our maintenance service for Liverpool is a major win for our business as it reinforces our approach to collaboration, innovation, and consistency. This installation is a step in the right direction towards making Liverpool 2040 a reality.”

“Every growing city must ensure that infrastructure is fit for purpose and meets the needs of its residents. Public lighting plays a critical role in creating spaces where people feel safe, while also helping cities manage energy consumption and reduce emissions,” said Commercial Leader Public UK, Signify. “Our collaboration with Liverpool City Council delivers immediate benefits through energy savings and improved visibility, while also serving as a blueprint for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable cities across the UK. As one of Europe’s most culturally significant and forward-thinking cities, Liverpool continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and enhancing quality of life for its residents through projects such as this.”

If the pilot continues to demonstrate strong results, Liverpool is well-positioned to become the first city in the UK to implement a Traffic Adaptive Lighting policy across all major road networks, establishing itself as a leader in smart city innovation and a model for municipalities worldwide. Through the integration of advanced IoT-enabled Traffic Adaptive Lighting systems, the city is addressing critical urban challenges, including energy efficiency, public safety, and maintenance effectiveness. The initiative reflects Liverpool’s commitment to innovative technology and sustainable urban development by reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions while ensuring roads remain safely illuminated during peak traffic periods and enabling proactive responses to lighting faults. If expanded across the city, the project will not only modernise Liverpool’s infrastructure but also set a new benchmark for sustainable and intelligent smart city solutions.