Adaptive Signal Control Quick Facts

• Outdated traffic signal timing currently accounts for more than 10 percent of all traffic delays.
• Adaptive signal control technology effectively reduces traffic congestion, excess fuel consumption, and delays.
• Whereas traditional signal timing design and maintenance is labor-intensive, adaptive control is handled automatically.
• Because adaptive signal control technologies use real-time traffic data, they adjust signals to events that cannot be anticipated by traditional time-of-day plans, such as accidents and road construction.
• When traffic signals are responsive to traffic demands, overall travel times are decreased.
• Average speeds improve when adaptive signal control technologies are used.
• Adaptive signal control typically improves travel time and delay by 10 percent.
• Within the United States, adaptive signal control technologies have been in use for roughly 20 years, though they have been deployed on less than 1 percent of existing traffic signals.