Bay Area Signal Light Synchronicity Program Called A Success

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – It's been one year since the start of a Bay Area transportation program to smooth out commutes by synchronizing traffic lights across the region, and transit analysts have said that it's proven a success.

It's a simple idea: synchronize traffic signals that are owned by Caltrans with those owned by Bay Area cities. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission pumped more than one million dollars into the Program for Arterial System Synchronization or PASS.

MTC spokesman John Goodwin said that after the first year of operation, transportation planners have found that the benefits are enormous.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

"We have reduced travel times, and by doing so reduced the amount of time that cars have to spend idling which cuts down on fuel consumption, which means fewer CO2 emissions and fewer particulate matter emissions," said Goodwin. "Things are moving faster, smarter and cleaner."

In addition, pedestrian safety has been improved by retiming walk signals at crosswalks.

Even more Bay Area cities plan to use this program in 2012. Goodwin said that more than 300 traffic signals were retimed during the first year of operation.

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