Broward looks for ways to lighten up
New signal system could enhance traffic flow
Nobody likes being stuck at endless red lights, but there are several stretches across Broward County where the timing of traffic signals historically has been aggravating.
Traffic engineers have identified the spots where drivers are most likely to see red because — even with the synchronization of signals — the roadways have so much traffic. They include: Pines Boulevard near Interstate 75 in Pembroke Pines,
Hallandale Beach Boulevard, in Hallandale Beach, Sunrise Boulevard, Lauderdale, University connecting Davie, Southeast 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, Young Circle where U.S.1 intersects Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Commercial Boulevard near State Road 7 and Florida’s Turnpike, Broward Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Davie Boulevard from I-95 U.S.1. Scott Smernis said he seems to in Fort
Drive near I-595, Plantation and
Causeway, to hit every red light on Federal Highway between Fort Lauderdale and his home in Lighthouse Point.
“Traffic engineers need to drive that stretch,” he said. “In addition to it being a total waste of time, it results in significantly more gas being used and pollution being pumped into the air as a trip that should take 15 minutes can take 30 to 40 minutes.”
To combat the problem, the county and the Florida Department of Transportation are turning to a new system of sensors designed to automatically adjust