Whenever I drive through intersections, I notice that sometimes, the traffics lights are all green when fewer cars are around, allowing for traffic to flow smoothly. Traffic lights utilize different sensors, cameras, radars, and computer systems to monitor traffic in real time, allowing for them to make intelligent decisions that keep traffic flowing without increasing the risk of accidents. 

Traffic lights don’t use fixed schedules to know when to allow traffic to pass or when to stop it. Computer systems within the intersections use sensors, time of day, traffic congestions, and other factors to offset signal timings. It considers numerous different factors, including traffic from other intersections, to optimally time green lights and red lights to keep traffic flowing as smooth as possible

Emerging technology in traffic lights incorporates AI learning systems into computer systems that run the traffic lights. The AI has access to data that could potentially affect traffic, allowing it to actively make decisions that make the flow of traffic more efficient. Based on the data, it anticipates possible disruptions in traffic and coordinates the signals accordingly. For example, it can analyze traffic nearby to see if groups of cars are approaching the light, synchronizing the green light to allow all the cars to pass through, as well as communicating with other traffic signals to allow them to pass. Intelligent traffic signals also do more than just keep traffic flowing. In 2024 alone, DC area drivers spent around 62 hours standing still in traffic. The amount of fuel wasted in standing still also severely accelerates global warming, worsening climate. Research show that fuel consumption would decrease by 20% with the introduction of AI powered traffic signals that help prevent unnecessary stops. Rather than traditional manually configured signals, the AI signals are constantly learning and actively make decisions that increase the flow of traffic. Existing smart traffic signals are proof of how automating traffic signal timings help increase the flow of traffic and show the potential for AI traffic signals to optimize traffic even more.