It sounds just wonderful, this idea of synchronizing Toronto traffic lights by re-timing them. They say that for an $11 million equipment purchase delays on major routes might be shortened by 15 to 30 percent, give or take a couple of percentage points. That would mean a 45-minute commute along Lawrence Avenue might be cut to 30 minutes. The reportage and news releases only hint at how this works. Presumably traffic lights will be “re-timed” to permit vehicles get through successive lights before they have to stop. Contrary to our universal green image (inset) there are still going to be red lights. One wonders whether synchronization will un-knot the left/right turn element of cars backing up because of pedestrians crossing. The un-stated matter of speeding is out there too. Traffic light “re-timing” set to speed commute
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It sounds just wonderful, this idea of synchronizing Toronto traffic lights by re-timing them. They say that for an $11 million equipment purchase delays on major routes might be shortened by 15 to 30 percent, give or take a couple of percentage points. That would mean a 45-minute commute along Lawrence Avenue might be cut to 30 minutes. The reportage and news releases only hint at how this works. Presumably traffic lights will be “re-timed” to permit vehicles get through successive lights before they have to stop. Contrary to our universal green image (inset) there are still going to be red lights. One wonders whether synchronization will un-knot the left/right turn element of cars backing up because of pedestrians crossing. The un-stated matter of speeding is out there too. 