New App Alerts Drivers Before Traffic Lights Turn Green

"Drivers on the city's crowded commute routes can join in the race to the digital future with a new app that will link their smartphones to traffic lights, giving them an alert when the green light is about to shine," reports Andrew McGall. "The free [EnLighten] app announced Thursday morning will work with all 100 of the city's traffic lights, which are linked to a city traffic control center."

McCall describes how the app works in more detail: "A few seconds before a red traffic light changes, EnLighten will chime to refocus drivers on driving, perhaps drawing them back from sipping coffee, doing their makeup or surreptitiously checking their cell phones. The EnLighten app is available for Android and iPhone users."

McCall goes on to describe the public-private partnership that enabled the program as well as a little information on the testing of the app. It will be interesting to see if real world tests prove the technology a safety improvement or just another way for cars to move quickly around the city's expansive residential and commercial arterials.