Cárdenas Introduces Bill to Ease Traffic Congestion
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) today introduced the Less Traffic with Smart Stop Lights Act of 2016. This bill directs the Department of Transportation to create a Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program, which would be used to improve signals to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, reduce fuel costs, and reduce air pollution.
“As constituents in my district know all too well, we spend too much time sitting at red traffic light signals. The most basic signals use outdated pre-set timing sequences,” said Rep. Cárdenas. “By upgrading to smart technologies and utilizing user-generated data, we could engineer traffic signals that anticipate changing traffic patterns. These upgraded signals would adapt in real time, heavily reduce traffic jams, and help to expand smart signal technology in all neighborhoods of Los Angeles.”
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 percent and increased speeds by 16 percent. States and municipalities are investing in much-needed maintenance and improvements to roadways and transportation systems.
Rep. Cárdenas went on to say, “I firmly believe that the federal government should do its part to support to deployment of smart technology. This is about more than just improving traffic synchronization and the flow of vehicles on the roads. This is about showing constituents that our government can in fact make things better for them, as we were elected to do.”
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