According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, traffic engineers in North Fulton County, Georgia, recently unveiled plans to improve drive times for commuters with an intelligent traffic solution project that will improve traffic signal timing during heavy volume periods along GA-9. While officials told the source that current traffic signal timing patterns are adjusted to help alleviate backups in the past, engineers believe the new system will ultimately provide more relief.

The new system will include state-of-the-art traffic sensors and permanent traffic counting stations along an 18-mile stretch of road that runs through Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs, Georgia. Eric Graves, the city traffic engineer in Alpharetta, told the source he believes the new adaptive signal control system will build on existing structures, correcting weaknesses in existing traffic signal timing patterns.

The $3.5 million project will be funded by the federal government, which offers grants for municipal projects that will improve carbon emissions. Adaptive signal control technology, like the sensors installed along GA-9, change signal timing patterns based on volume, reducing the amount of time drivers idle at red lights and improving emissions.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awarded the state of Georgia a total of $1.12 billion in stimulus funds for transportation improvement projects.