Reps. Cárdenas, Duncan Introduce Smart Stop Light Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. –- (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) introduced the Less Traffic with Smart Stop Lights Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation would create a Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program at the Department of Transportation. These grants would be used to modernize stoplight signals and, in turn, would reduce traffic, improve safety, reduce fuel costs, and lessen air pollution.
Rep. Cárdenas said, “When you come from LA, you welcome any idea that can cut down on traffic. Upgrading our stop lights with smart technology would do just that. Incentivizing the implementation of smart technologies will have real, tangible impacts on peoples’ lives, and it’s a smart move for the future of our infrastructure. I’m proud to work with Rep. Duncan on this bipartisan legislation, and I hope to move this policy forward.”
Rep. Duncan said, “Investing in intelligent traffic signals that operate on vehicle volumes rather than a predetermined time will reduce congestion. They also make intersections safer for pedestrians and improve the environment by limiting times that vehicles idle at red lights. This bipartisan legislation will benefit both large and small communities.”
Upgrading to smart technologies and utilizing the vast amount of user-generated data, traffic signals can anticipate changing traffic patterns and adapt in real time, reducing traffic jams. In the City of Los Angeles, the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control (ATSAC) System provides real-time monitoring and adjustment of signal timing for nearly 4,400 signalized intersections. ATSAC has reduced travel time by 12% and increase speeds by 16%.
States and municipalities are investing in much-needed maintenance and improvements to roadways and transportation systems. This legislation would ensure that the Federal government is doing its part to support the deployment of smart technology to improve traffic synchronization and help the flow of vehicles and pedestrians using the roads.
Text of the legislation can be found here.
