High-tech signals coming soon to Mercer Street
Nov 24, 2015, 12:02 PM | Updated: 1:54 pm
Have we already reached capacity in Seattle? (MyNorthwest file)
(MyNorthwest file)
Sets of new signals on Mercer Street are expected to reduce congestion on the busy Seattle arterial.
The Seattle Times reports the corridor will be the first of five to receive “adaptive signals,” or other kinds of signal re-timing.
Though the signals won’t help with the evening gridlock, they will allow for more green lights and less idling throughout the day.
Related: Major I-5 bottleneck makes list of top 20 worst in the country
The signals are basically an autonomous traffic control system, KIRO Radio traffic reporter Chris Sullivan explains. The signals will reconfigure themselves when needed, without the need for human interaction.
“This is the beginning of Skynet,” Sullivan quipped.
The signals are already being used in Bellevue. They will really be put to the test in a city plagued with traffic issues.
