Los Angeles Synchronizes Every Red Light To Reduce Traffic In The City

photo by: Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

Although, Los Angeles had tried many approaches in the past to minimize traffic, the problem continues to remain unresolved. Now, they have implemented another strategy or system. They have synchronized each of its 4,500 traffic signals across 469 square miles. The system is called the ‘Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control system’. It is 30 years in the making and cost $400 million to build. This development provided Los Angeles one of the world’s most extensive systems for reducing traffic.

This strategy proposes a theory of driving Western Avenue from the Hollywood Hills to the San Pedro waterfront without ever stopping. While this is a good strategy, it can only minimize the growth of traffic and not reverse it, explained by Texas A&M Transportation Institute at The NY Times. The continues rise of the number of cars makes the implemented strategy inefficient in reversing the problem.

The system enhanced the speed of traffic in Los Angeles by 16 percent. The city explains that after installing the system, the average of 20 minutes to drive 5 miles has now been reduced to 17.2 minutes. The system creates constant adjustments to keep cars moving as smoothly as possible. It is able to decide on the necessary adjustments by measuring the flow of traffic using its magnetic sensors in the road, hundreds of cameras and a centralized computer system.

While the system does not offer a permanent solution, it is still a huge step forward as well as an effort worthy of acknowledgement. As of now, the residents of Los Angeles have still to notice the effects. via [NY Times]