Red Light Wait Time in London
London had the world's first traffic light. How much time have you spent at them?
London installed the world's first traffic light in 1868 outside the Houses of Parliament.
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That's about — hours!
That's enough time to ride the entire Tube network — times.
How We Calculate London Wait Time
This calculator uses London-specific traffic data to estimate your red light wait time:
Formula: Daily wait = Red lights × Average wait time per light
London averages 65 seconds per red light. The city that invented the traffic light in 1868 now has over 6,000 traffic signals. London's SCOOT system optimizes signal timing in real-time, keeping wait times relatively efficient despite heavy congestion.
UK Data: Transport for London (TfL) manages traffic signals across Greater London. The Congestion Charge zone has helped reduce central London traffic by 30% since 2003.
London Traffic FAQs
When was the first traffic light installed in London?
The world's first traffic light was installed outside the Houses of Parliament in London on December 10, 1868. It was gas-powered and exploded after just a month, injuring a police officer. Electric traffic lights didn't appear in London until 1926.
How does London's SCOOT system work?
SCOOT (Split Cycle Offset Optimization Technique) uses sensors to detect real-time traffic flow and automatically adjusts signal timing every few seconds. This system reduces delays by approximately 12% compared to fixed-time signals.
What is the average commute time in London?
The average London commute is 74 minutes round-trip, one of the longest in Europe. However, most Londoners use public transport rather than driving. Drivers in central London average just 7.4 mph during peak hours.