Out of Step?

Deep Traffic - DQN Tuning for Traffic Navigation ? | by Greg Surma | Towards Data Science

It is 2½ years since the York Council was awarded £2.85 million by the government to develop a “Smart Travel Evolution Programme” (STEP). It would monitor and enable “analysis of real-time journey information to improve travel in York”.

The Council said it would use “co-operative ‘urban traffic control’ (UTC), where vehicles and traffic signals work together to improve the network  reducing congestion and emissions”.

“STEP will also generate a multi-layered, real-time model of traffic, public transport and air quality data, allowing York to prepare for connected and autonomous vehicles”.

We were told that the scheme would see the control systems capture data, process it and react to conditions in real-time.

Since then taxpayers have heard little although a £200k contract to Dynniq UK Ltd for a “Smarter Travel Evolution Programme – Green Light Optimised Speed Advisory System” was let a few months ago.

It is understood that this is aimed at improving the efficiency of the Councils own fleet.

Time for an update on this expensive project we think.

Just what benefits have we seen?

Coronavirus York updates; 12th October 2020

No change to York alert level following PMs announcement

The PM has announced a three tier system of restrictions.

Against expectations, York is still to be classified as a “medium risk” area with the current set of restrictions continuing to apply.

The new three-tier system on local lockdowns is:

TIER 1 Medium : Rule of Six and 10pm curfew – Includes York

TIER 2: High: All indoor household mixing banned but permitted outdoors including in private gardens – Includes Nottinghamshire, East & West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak

TIER 3: Very High: All household mixing banned and pubs/bars closed along with gyms, leisure centres, betting shops and casinos. – Liverpool city region will be placed in the ‘very high’ risk category of the new system from Wednesday

What medium level means for you:

Social contact

  • The Rule of 6 continues to apply
  • Childcare bubbles (for under-15s/years 9 and 10) children (or vulnerable adults) where necessary for caring purposes (to be a consistent childcare relationship, not for playdates). 
  • Up to 15 people at wedding,  civil partnership ceremonies and ‘significant event’ gatherings
  • Up to 30 people can attend funerals 
  • No mass events for example sports events and pilot performances 
  • Organised sport is only allowed outdoors
  • Visiting indoor hospitality/leisure/retail settings under rule of 6 

Businesses

  • Business in sectors which are permitted to open by law can remain so providing they meet Covid19-Secure guidance. 
  • All workers in indoor hospitality must wear face coverings and/or work behind screens (chefs, waiting staff, etc.). Customers must also wear face coverings, apart from when seated 
  • Leisure and entertainment venue must be closed between 10pm and 5am, but can continue delivery after 10pm. 
  • Food and drink venues will be table service only. 
  • More stringent Covid19 secure guidance and enforcement. Where possible, WFH should be encouraged.
  • For the latest government guidance for your business go to gov.uk/coronavirus

Deaths and test results

THREE more deaths in the York Hospital Trust area announced today. 2 occurred on Saturday and 1 last Friday. That brings the second wave death toll to 5 in little over a week.

There have been 63 (SIXTY THREE) additional positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total number of cases in the City to 2095

The highest single day number of new cases occurred last Wednesday when 94 positive tests were carried out.

Although the rolling 7 day average number of new cases dropped to 66.14 last Friday it is too soon to say whether this represents a new trend.

The largest number of cases continues to be recorded in the Heslington/University neighbourhood (88 cases).

The media are reporting that at the University of York, there were 220 individuals self isolating due to a positive Covid-19 test on Monday.

At York St John University there were 67 people self isolating due to a positive test on Monday.

The smallest number (6) occurred in the Dunnington/Elvington neighbourhood.

Q & A sessions

This week residents are invited to join a Live Coronavirus Q&A where city leaders will be discussing the latest public health updates and answer questions.

Tuesday 13 October, 6-7pm – Public Health Update, including with Cllr Keith Aspden and director of public health, Sharon Stoltz.

Head over to our Facebook page to watch them live. Ask your questions by commenting live or email your question ahead of time to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk and specify which live Q&A your question relates to.

We also have regular resident email updates, sign up at https://www.york.gov.uk/form/EmailUpdates

Daily COVID case data for York is available on our social media accounts: Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

City of York Council Public Health Update

City leaders have today thanked York residents and urged everyone to continue working together to protect the people and places we love.

The Government has today outlined a new three-tier system for restrictions, split between ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’ levels. The new system has been introduced in an effort to tackle the rising number of Covid-19 infections nationally.

Although it has not been officially confirmed by the Government, it is understood that York will remain at the medium level, meaning that there will be no additional restrictions, beyond the current national guidance, to be introduced for York’s residents and businesses.

However, it is important to underline that York’s infection rate is rising significantly and the Council continues to work with partners across the city to address this. City leaders have urged everyone to play their part to slow the spread of the virus and to avoid stricter restrictions in the future. Residents and visitors are being urged to follow good public health measures and remember Hands, Face, Space at all times, to protect those we love and keep the places we enjoy open.

The provisional rate for the last seven days of new Covid cases for every 100,000 people in York is 207.2. This is higher than the national average of 133.8, but lower than the regional average of 231.9.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

“Whilst it is welcome the early indications that no further restrictions are to be put in place in York, we must remain vigilant and work together to keep our city safe and open.”

“It is thanks to our collective effort that we can continue to keep the places we love open. However, as the number of cases continue to rise in York and across the country, we must not rest on our laurels and continue to work together to protect jobs, keep our friends and family safe and keep the places we love open.

“This year has been exceptionally difficult for many, and we are grateful to residents and businesses across the city who continue to do their bit in protecting our city. Despite the challenges of this year, York has demonstrated what it does best − pulling together and supporting each other. It is crucial that we continue in this spirit and work together over the coming weeks and months.”

Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, said:

“This is welcome news, but it does not mean we can relax.

“We continue to closely monitor the data to track the spread of the virus as quickly as possible.  We’re seeing the virus spread mainly through social contact and households mixing indoors and not social distancing.

“We know how hard it is to stay away but the best way to show love at the moment is to keep your loved ones safe by practicing Hands. Face. Space. We must continue to wash our hands regularly, observe social distancing and wear face coverings in busy places.

“Please make sure you are familiar with the symptoms, self-isolate if you show any of them, and book a test straight away.”

Keep informed

This week residents are invited to join a Live Coronavirus Q&A where city leaders will be discussing the latest public health updates and answer questions.

Tuesday 13 October, 6-7pm – Public Health Update, including with Cllr Keith Aspden and director of public health, Sharon Stoltz.

Head over to our Facebook page to watch them live. Ask your questions by commenting live or email your question ahead of time to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk and specify which live Q&A your question relates to.

We also have regular resident email updates, sign up at https://www.york.gov.uk/form/EmailUpdates

Daily COVID case data for York is available on our social media accounts: Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Public service standards improving in York

Good to see that some street level public service standards are improving in west York. As we observed some months ago, the health crisis caused a rethink on street cleansing with a neighbourhood management approach producing better results. This has improvement has generally been sustained

The York Council had a challenging time in 2019 when parts of the City were blighted by weeds following the award of a poorly specified treatment contract. This year the streets have been largely clear of weed growth following the award of a new £58,000 contract to Munro Weed Control.

There are still some problem areas (snickets, back lanes, garage forecourts) but generally standards have improved.

Routine weed treatment has worked well in most areas although some snickets and garage forecourts still aren’t routinely treated

Some progress seems to have been made on long term, seemingly intractable, problems such as rubbish storage and fly tipping in the Front Street back lane area. Notices have now been displayed indicating the penalties for fly tipping. Most rubbish storage areas are now tidier although there are some exceptions

Front Street/Beaconsfield Street tidier but not yet perfect

Less good news on highways maintenance. There are still too many uneven road surfaces including long outstanding problems in the School Street area in the Acomb. White line repainting is also behind schedule.

School Street & Bellwood Drive

The Councils new graffiti removal service has been successful although utility boxes and some private boundaries are still subject to attack. The utilities in particular take a long time to clean their boxes. We’d like to see the Council team undertaking this work and more effort being made to fine those who are responsible.

Utility boxes and private boundaries stills subject to attack
Good to see local bus shelters have been repainted. Missing or damaged perspex panels need to be replaced at some locations
Anti social behaviour has been an increasing problem in some neighbourhoods recently