A partnership between Oregon-based provider of real-time, predictive traffic signal information for connected vehicles, Connected Signals Inc., and the City of Gainesville in Florida is providing drivers with information about when traffic lights are going to change, saving both money and lives.
In April 2017, Gainesville began work on a pilot project with Connected Signals as part of the University of Florida Transportation Institute’s I-STREET testbed, which was created in partnership with Florida Depart of Transportation’s (FDOT) Connected Vehicle Initiative to test connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies. Roll-out of the pilot, one of the first of its kind in Florida, has continued and today nearly all of Gainesville’s traffic signals are connected online with Connected Signals’ smart signal information platform.
Connected Signals securely aggregates real-time signal information via its patented V2If data-capture device and feeds it through predictive algorithms to determine information, such as when lights will be changing from red to green and vice versa. The information is then delivered to Gainesville drivers via Connected Signals’ free Enlighten mobile phone app.
This information will ultimately also be made available through direct integration into connected cars’ displays and powertrains. Available features currently include red light countdowns and green-wave speed indicators, so that drivers make smarter decisions: to take their foot off the pedal and coast to the light, to slow down sooner, or to not rush to ‘make a light’ that is impossible to achieve. The green wave speed indicator is particularly effective in helping drivers to safely adjust their speed to get into a wave of green lights and avoid stopping altogether. This data, when shared with vehicle and drivers, can improve fuel efficiency by 8-15% and reduce red-light crashes by 25%.
“Connected Signals has been so helpful in advancing our smart traffic technology initiative,” said Emmanuel Posadas, traffic operations manager at the City of Gainesville. “The level of support we have received has been incredible, the installation was straightforward through all three roll-outs, and the information we’re receiving is very secure, and yet accessible to those with whom we want to share it.
“What’s also really incredible is that Connected Signals provides the technology and the support at no cost to municipalities and traffic signal maintaining agencies if they allow data sharing.”
Matt Ginsberg, CEO and cofounder of Connected Signals, commented, “It’s great to work with cities, like Gainesville, who are leading the charge and advocating advanced technology for traffic solutions. Lowering fuel emissions, reducing carbon footprint and increasing safety are all hugely noble efforts worth pursuing, and that’s why we are thrilled to provide this service to municipalities and agencies at no charge.
“This program has been successful in Gainesville, and we are now working with other agencies in Florida, as part of FDOT’s initiative, that we expect to be able to announce by the end of the year.”
Many other cities and towns around the globe are using Connected Signals’ real-time, predictive traffic information to help their citizens drive more safely and economically. Ginsberg continued.”
