Smart traffic lights designed to end stop-go driving will be tested in Britain.

The signals will advise motorists and vehicles what speed they should drive at so they arrive at the next set of lights just as they turn green.

Engineering firm AECOM is developing the scheme to cut congestion and reduce vehicle emissions through more efficient driving.

It will be tested using a simulation model of the A59 in York.

The concept is one of five shortlisted entries in a competition launched by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), Highways England and Innovate UK to create roads for driverless cars.

AECOM principal consultant Heather Hawkins said: "We are excited and are eager to get started so we can better understand the potential impact of vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies on our local road network in York.

"We are fortunate to be living and working in a city which has chosen to be an early innovator, deploying and testing these technologies on-street through existing research programmes. It's truly inspiring and we are grateful to be a part of it."

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "It is great to see novel technology like this being trialled.

"Stop-start traffic causes drivers to use their brakes more, which causes wear, and accelerate more, which can increase vehicle emissions."