Traffic Light synchronization is best on one-way streets, which for instance works quite well when crossing downtown Raleigh. On 2-way streets, it can be made to work for the main flow in one direction at certain times of the day, but all traffic going the other way is going to be stopped many times on the same route.
What is needed fast is more smart traffic lights such as the ones at the crossing of Lynn Road and Lead Mine Road, or at Lynn Road and North Hills Drive. When the traffic is heavy at the intersection, they work as usual with a timer-based cycle. However when the traffic is lighter and at least a few seconds elapse between cars, they quickly give the green light on a first-come first-served basis from any direction. That for me is better than synchronization except perhaps at peak times.
More Smart Traffic Lights Needed
Traffic Light synchronization is best on one-way streets, which for instance works quite well when crossing downtown Raleigh. On 2-way streets, it can be made to work for the main flow in one direction at certain times of the day, but all traffic going the other way is going to be stopped many times on the same route.
What is needed fast is more smart traffic lights such as the ones at the crossing of Lynn Road and Lead Mine Road, or at Lynn Road and North Hills Drive. When the traffic is heavy at the intersection, they work as usual with a timer-based cycle. However when the traffic is lighter and at least a few seconds elapse between cars, they quickly give the green light on a first-come first-served basis from any direction. That for me is better than synchronization except perhaps at peak times.
Bernard