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Poor Timing of Traffic Signals Wastes Time, Money, Fuel

April 20, 2005

• Gridlock Creeps Towards the Country • Fewer Americans Like Driving • Nation's Traffic Troubles Intensify • Poor Timing of Traffic Signals Wastes Time, Money, Fuel • Study Links Traffic to Heart Attacks

Traffic congestion, frustrated commuters and polluted air are just three good reasons for changing how our nation operates traffic signals.

The United States scored an overall grade of D-minus on traffic signal operation, according to "The National Traffic Signal Report Card," issued by a group of transportation associations.

That poor grade shows that not enough money is allocated for traffic signal timing, and therefore, local traffic agencies cannot keep up with demand.

"It's not just about signals turning green, yellow and red," said Institute of Transportation Engineers Associate Executive Director for Technical Programs Shelley Row.

"Just because the signals change color doesn't mean they are operating efficiently. The problem runs much deeper and can be fixed. With as little as a $4 investment per car each year, or 1 percent of funds spent annually on transportation, agencies can reduce delays -- your commute time -- and improve their grade to an A," Row said.

The National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) sent out self-assessment surveys last fall to localities across the country. Grading themselves in five areas, 378 agencies in 49 states completed the self-assessment.

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

NTOC is calling for more support for traffic signal timing, including funding, staff and attention from public leaders. The coalition members are asking citizens to demand more from their local elected officials in this area.

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