More traffic signals around Kelowna could 鈥榯alk鈥 to one another under a proposed expansion of a system that aims to quicken travel times for local motorists.聽
Approximately 20 intersections are under consideration for the adaptive timing technology, which sets green light durations in accordance with real-time traffic conditions.聽
鈥淚f a particular intersection experiences a sudden increase in traffic, the adaptive system can quickly allocate more green time to alleviate congestion,鈥 states part of a report from infrastructure manager Geert Bos going Monday to Kelowna city council.聽
鈥淚f traffic volumes are suddenly reduced in one direction, the system can reallocate additional time to where it鈥檚 needed. This approach enhances overall traffic efficiency, reduces travel time, delay and emissions, without compromising traffic safety,鈥 Bos says.聽
A feature of the system is that the traffic lights can communicate with one another 鈥渢o inform them what traffic flows are approaching鈥, he says.聽
The city has tested the system for nine months along Springfield Road and the results are said to support expansion of the technology to other locations.聽
Travel times on Springfield during rush-hour dropped by 23 seconds, or five per cent. While that may seem like a small amount, the overall impact on traffic flow is considerable, Bos says.聽
鈥淭hese individual vehicle time savings are accumulated by the over 35,000 daily users of the Springfield corridor,鈥 he says.聽
鈥淥n average, Springfield drivers now spend significantly less time waiting at lights - equivalent to an estimated 39,000 hours of travel time saved per year across the corridor, which equals an annual reduction in emissions of 131.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide,鈥 Bos says.聽
Roads being considered for expansion of the traffic light technology include Spall, Enterprise, and Richter, and seven more intersections along the Springfield corridor.聽