Traffic Light Synchronization

On Oct. 2nd (2007), the city of Winnipeg unveiled its first phase of synchronized traffic lights, publicized by Mayor Katz as being an important step in "improv[ing] traffic progression all along this major high-volume route and reduc[ing] vehicle emissions." At first glance, such a proposition seems reasonable. If cars are rolling instead of stopped and idling, they should get places faster and pollute less. This situation seems plausible, but it only reflects a short term "solution" to a systemic transportation problem---a problem that will only worsen if the underlying causes are not addressed. Worse yet, such "solutions," modest as they may seem, may exacerbate automobile dependence while they simultaneously shift the public's attention from more sensible transportation plans (e.g. mass transit).

My first point is in regards to traffic signal synchronization (TSS), an oft-promoted solution to traffic problems and a way of reducing pollution. Michael Vandeman, Ph.D. offers some interesting counterpoints against the argument for TSS. These can be found on the website Asphalt Strawberry. Vandeman raises questions about the pollution output actually produced by vehicles: if speeds are increased past a certain point, is less pollution being emitted than if the vehicle were idling? To find out, one could pore over the details and comparisons of which traffic signal type minimizes pollution more. However, such studies may miss the point entirely because other factors are at play in this equation.

For example, if TSS was fully integrated and traffic was then free flowing, wouldn't this newly liberated artery attract more users? It is not only possible, but also very likely since analogous traffic improvement strategies (i.e. new road construction) designed to alleviate traffic, become congested a short time after construction. What may ultimately happen is that roads outfitted with TSS will become so clogged with vehicles that traffic jams might develop in spite of the sophisticated system. Also worth noting: how does one synchronize traffic lights in a grid?

In light of these plausible scenarios and unanswered questions, Mayor Katz greenwashes TSS with the conventional slogan, "it's environmentally friendly." Given the purported traffic management benefits and pollution reductions of TSS, Katz may see this initiative as a justifiable strategy to delay implementing better transit or avoid dealing with the mass transit issue altogether. In the meantime, progress on the first phase of bus rapid transit in Winnipeg has yet to be seen. Since the rapid transit project appears to be in limbo and the TSS craze is sweeping across major cities, it wouldn't be surprising if Katz were genuinely persuaded that TSS might be an alternative to mass transit when it comes to managing the flow of people in the city.

In opposition to this idea and the many city officials who support it, Karen Atkins, quoted in the Austin Chronicle, believes "if people think this is the magic bullet and it's really going to take care of our congestion problems, then they are really kidding themselves...light synchronization will not supersede [mass transit]."

While not directly related to the debate surrounding TSS, politics professor Christopher Leo's blog on urban issues deals with similar themes: how to address transport problems by supporting transit systems. Leo claims "the establishment of an efficient, modern transit system [i.e. rapid transit] would be a critical step toward bringing the costs of services and infrastructure under control."

If TSS generates increased auto-dependency, we may not gain control of the costs mentioned by Leo. These costs are in large part brought about by expenditures in new road construction, road repair and servicing an ever-expanding suburban ring, designed to accommodate yet more cars. That is to say, promoting transit and other forms of transport as the means to minimize pollution, reduce commute times, foster a more compact/economical city, is more strongly associated with environmental and economical sustainability than the implementation of a potentially costly and useless TSS system. By promoting TSS, the city is shining light away from ideas that not only need immediate attention, but also hold more merit in the realm of sustainable urban transport: active transportation and mass transit.