Traffic Signal Timing Grade of D-minus Adds up to Congestion

Usnewswire.com ^ | 04/20/2005 | Transportation Reporter

[loreldan]

Traffic congestion, frustrated commuters, and polluted air are just three effects that demonstrate the need for changes in how our nation supports the operation of traffic signals. The nation's poor grade shows that not enough money is allocated for traffic signal timing, and therefore, local traffic agencies cannot keep up with demand...

Studies around the country show that the benefits of investments in signal timing outweigh the costs by 40:1 or more.

Those benefits include:

1.) Shorter commute times

2.) Improved air quality

3.) Better fuel efficiency

4.) Decrease in driver frustration

[loreldan]

I once kept a running tally of how many red lights I encountered compared to green lights, and it was about 80:20.

[Yo-Yo]

So then why do they time the lights at 41 MPH when the speed limit is 35????