PDOT

Pennsylvania Department of Transport (PennDoT) in the US has introduced a new traffic signal programme, which provides state funds to municipalities for the operation and maintenance of their traffic signals along state highways.

The Green Light-Go programme is funded by the state’s new transportation funding law Act 89, which was signed in November 2013 by Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett.

PennDoT secretary Barry J Schoch said: "Our ‘Green Light-Go’ programme, which is only possible because of Act 89, is aimed at helping financially-strapped municipalities get a jump on upgrading their traffic signals.

"By using state-of-the-art signal systems that can be timed to maximise traffic flow, motorists will notice quicker commute times and less time sitting in traffic."

"Motorists will notice quicker commute times and less time sitting in traffic."

According to the department, municipalities can apply for funding until 14 November for projects, such as LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, study and removal of unwarranted traffic control signals, real-time monitoring, data collection and detour or event route timing adjustments.

PennDoT will manage all the projects with signals on highways that have greater than 10,000 vehicles a day, whereas the municipality will manage projects on corridors with less than 10,000 vehicles a day.

The department said that both types of projects will require a 50% match from the municipality.

The Act 89 has so far funded $10m for traffic signal improvements in this financial year. It further aims to fund up to $25m in 2015-16 and up to $40m in 2016-17.

Image: PennDoT’s new Green Light-Go programme will assist municipalities in improving traffic signal operations. Photo: courtesy of Mld74.