Arlington Deploys Tech to Cut Traffic Delays for Commercial Motor Vehicles at Red Lights
The City of Arlington, Texas, is set to reduce traffic delays for commercial vehicle drivers and decrease greenhouse gas emissions through the deployment of new technology.
The “Freight Optimization Services Program” is a five-year initiative that will implement technology at around 100 traffic lights on roadways in Arlington designated as freight routes and in freight-oriented development areas.
New Tech to Cut Traffic Delays and Increase Traffic Light Efficiency
The technology will work with the traffic management system to provide a few extra seconds of green light time for heavy vehicles to pass through intersections without stopping. Additionally, the technology will inform truck drivers of the recommended travel speed to arrive at a traffic light on green when it is currently red.
The project is scheduled to launch in June 2023, with full system operation planned for June 2024. Truck drivers will be able to download a mobile app that will provide information on when the traffic signal will change and the recommended travel speed to arrive at the traffic signal when it turns green.
Officials have announced that the technology will also be implemented at 500 traffic signals in multiple jurisdictions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The Freight Optimization Services Program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
New Technology Aims to Improve Safety and Efficiency For Current Federal Regulations
Currently, there are rules and regulations in place that govern how commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) should behave at red lights. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides guidelines for drivers operating CMVs, which include rules for stopping at traffic lights.
According to the FMCSA, drivers must come to a complete stop at a red traffic light, and they cannot proceed until the traffic light turns green. Drivers must also ensure that they have enough space to stop their vehicle safely and avoid blocking the intersection.
The FMCSA also specifies that drivers should not enter an intersection unless they can safely and completely cross it before the traffic light turns red. This is to prevent drivers from becoming stuck in the middle of an intersection when the light changes.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and penalties, as well as potential safety hazards. However, the deployment of new technology in Arlington, Texas, as part of the Freight Optimization Services Program, aims to reduce traffic delays and provide truck drivers with the information they need to navigate traffic lights safely and efficiently.
By implementing these new changes, the City of Arlington is taking steps to improve traffic flow for commercial vehicle drivers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Freight Optimization Services Program. The deployment of new technology will provide extra green light time for heavy vehicles to pass through intersections without stopping and inform truck drivers of the recommended travel speed to arrive at a traffic light on green when it is currently red.
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