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Weather-Responsive Traffic Signals
We all spend time sitting at red lights – sometimes it seems like a whole lot of time. There is a fair amount of science applied in the design of traffic signals that at least has the aim of easing congestion and improving traffic safety.
Signals in modern cities are timed using optimization models that
analyze multiple factors including traffic volume and speed with the goal of
safely getting as many vehicles as possible through intersections. It sure doesn’t seem that way in many places,
but that is the intent in any case.
But a real problem with these models is that they assume normal
conditions including weather conditions.
In places that experience real winter conditions, the assumptions of
traffic models fail. If the road surface
is covered with snow and ice and visibility is poor, variables like speed and
stopping distances become very different.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada collected data from
real-world intersections and ran computer simulations to determine the effects
of adjusting traffic signal behavior in bad weather (as well as in the presence
of other conditions such as accidents or construction.) They found that such adjustments could reduce
traffic delays by as much as 20%.
Cities with computerized signal systems are already equipped to
remotely and inexpensively adjust the timing of traffic lights. To gain the benefits of smarter signals,
there would need to be video cameras and a certain amount of artificial intelligence
software that would be able to automatically tweak the timing of lights in
response to traffic changes caused by weather, accidents or construction.
It sounds like a great idea.
**********
Web Links
Weather-responsive intersections could ease traffic congestion
Photo, posted September 22, 2009, courtesy of Tristan Bowersox via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
View all episodes
By Randy Simon
4.7
1515 ratings
We all spend time sitting at red lights – sometimes it seems like a whole lot of time. There is a fair amount of science applied in the design of traffic signals that at least has the aim of easing congestion and improving traffic safety.
Signals in modern cities are timed using optimization models that
analyze multiple factors including traffic volume and speed with the goal of
safely getting as many vehicles as possible through intersections. It sure doesn’t seem that way in many places,
but that is the intent in any case.
But a real problem with these models is that they assume normal
conditions including weather conditions.
In places that experience real winter conditions, the assumptions of
traffic models fail. If the road surface
is covered with snow and ice and visibility is poor, variables like speed and
stopping distances become very different.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada collected data from
real-world intersections and ran computer simulations to determine the effects
of adjusting traffic signal behavior in bad weather (as well as in the presence
of other conditions such as accidents or construction.) They found that such adjustments could reduce
traffic delays by as much as 20%.
Cities with computerized signal systems are already equipped to
remotely and inexpensively adjust the timing of traffic lights. To gain the benefits of smarter signals,
there would need to be video cameras and a certain amount of artificial intelligence
software that would be able to automatically tweak the timing of lights in
response to traffic changes caused by weather, accidents or construction.
It sounds like a great idea.
**********
Web Links
Weather-responsive intersections could ease traffic congestion
Photo, posted September 22, 2009, courtesy of Tristan Bowersox via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
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