Innovative technology developed by LRRB could potentially reduce the risk of serious crashes at signalized intersections that result from drivers running red lights. Onboard technology that integrates traffic light phasing information with the location and speed of the vehicle can provide reliable warnings and guidance to distracted drivers to prevent them from running red lights.
This project installed a roadside unit at a selected intersection in Scott County, Minnesota, and equipped a car with a GPS chip and software that enabled the vehicle to receive traffic signal phasing information from the unit. Microsimulations of system performance followed by on-road testing demonstrated the system’s ability to issue appropriate warnings based on various traffic signal scenarios.