Maryland Adopts Smart Signals to Keep Traffic Flowing

The new signals will respond to congestion in real time throughout the day.

1 minute read

October 30, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

Horia Varlan / flickr

Hoping to cut drive times by up to 13 percent, Maryland will spend $50 million to install smart traffic signals statewide.

Currently, if congestion occurs, "the state's 2,500 signals require a technician to go out and reprogram their timing, leaving them unable to adjust quickly to keep traffic moving," explains Katherine Shaver in The Washington Post. The new signals will use pavement sensors to detect even minor backups, and adapt by re-timing light changes.

Maryland isn't the first state to use smart signals, but its network may become the country's most extensive. The rollout will begin this month, starting in corridors with the most compatible technologies.

FULL STORY: ‘Smart’ traffic signals soon will change themselves in Maryland

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 in The Washington Post

Technology Transportation Maryland Traffic Signals Responsive Traffic Signals Congestion Mitigation Traffic Management Smart Cities smart technology View More

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