Every driver knows that green means go, but when it comes to moving vehicles along many Houston roads, it’s green-green-green that matters more.

Synchronized traffic lights have become one of the most effective ways to deal with traffic in many cities, including Houston, especially as streets in the urban core handle more traffic and widening them isn’t a feasible option. But synchronization is not a panacea.

About 2,300 intersection in Houston are timed to help traffic flow. In many places, a driver going the speed limit can sail through without the stop-and-go that seizes up traffic on city streets.

Smoothing out the traffic reduces delays and, proponents said, improves gas mileage for drivers and decreases pollution from idle cars and trucks.

via Traffic light timing keeps congestion in sync – Houston Chronicle.