Outdated signals could be making our roads more dangerous
If you’ve ever sat at a red light in Florida, staring at an empty intersection and wondering why on earth you’re not moving, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most universal (and frustrating) experiences on the road. According to a recent study from the Florida Policy Project and the University of South Florida (USF), the reason may be simpler (and older) than you think: outdated traffic signals.
Former Florida Senator Jeff Brandes (who now heads the nonprofit Florida Policy Project) summed it up best: “We’ve all sat at traffic lights, waiting for them to change. With nobody else around, wondering why things aren’t moving faster.” That everyday annoyance is what led Brandes and a team of researchers to dig deeper into the state’s traffic signal systems. What they found could have a huge impact on how we move around Florida in the future.
Brandes is pushing state lawmakers to provide more funding and incentives for local governments to update their traffic signals. With AI technology becoming more accessible and affordable, he sees this as a smart investment in Florida’s future.
Do Florida's traffic lights need an upgrade?
The study, titled Best Practices: Signalized Intersection Investments, looked at 16,000 intersections across Florida. One of the most surprising findings was that many of the state’s traffic signals are still operating with technology that dates back to the 1960s. They run on a fixed timer, regardless of how much or how little traffic is present.
That kind of system made sense decades ago when traffic patterns were simpler. But today, Florida traffic lights include fluctuating congestion, pedestrian crossings, ride-share pickups, and increased population growth. Fixed timers just don’t cut it; they’re outdated, inefficient, and they leave drivers stuck waiting longer than necessary.
How long are Drivers Waiting At Traffic Lights in Florida?
The study found that Florida drivers wait at red lights an average of 20.4 seconds per cycle, compared to a national average of 18.1 seconds. That may not sound like much at first, but consider how often you hit red lights during your daily drive. That extra delay adds up quickly in wasted time, extra fuel costs, and unnecessary emissions. For people who rely on consistent travel times (e.g., delivery drivers, emergency responders, and commuters), it’s a big deal.
How can AI fix long traffic light waits in Florida?
Thankfully, we’re no longer limited to timers and guesswork. Brandes and his team believe the solution lies in smart traffic signals powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These AI-based systems don’t just wait for a preset timer to tick down. Instead, they respond in real time to actual traffic conditions.
For example, they use sensors, cameras, and machine learning to adapt their signal patterns based on how many cars are waiting, how fast they’re moving, and what’s happening in nearby intersections. That means smoother traffic flow, shorter wait times, and a lot less frustration for drivers.
Hillsborough County is already using AI to help manage its traffic data, but they haven’t fully implemented systems that can change signals on their own. However, other cities and states are further along. For example, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas have successfully deployed AI traffic light systems that reduce congestion, lower crash rates, and improve pedestrian safety.
What makes this approach appealing is that it doesn’t require ripping up roads or building costly new lanes. AI upgrades are relatively affordable and can be installed in existing traffic infrastructure. According to Brandes, “This is a modest investment compared to the cost of adding lanes or building new roads.”
How can AI improve traffic light safety?
It’s not just about speed and convenience. AI-based traffic systems can also make intersections safer. Intersection accidents are often caused by drivers who are in a hurry or fail to judge the distance and actions of other road users. This can lead to pedestrian accidents, side-impact collisions, and even head-on collisions.
By optimizing signal timing based on real-world traffic behavior, these systems can reduce the chance of traffic collisions caused by rushed turns, red-light running, or pedestrian crossings that go unnoticed. For cities trying to protect both drivers and walkers, this kind of responsive tech could make a big impact, especially in busy urban areas or school zones.
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