The Bavarian town of Essenbach has a traffic light that German media have dubbed “the traffic light of the future”, The Mayor reports.
At first glance, this traffic light is no different from ordinary traffic lights, however, it has special functions that allow it to better control traffic so that it is smoother.
The Bavarian Ministry of Transport is leading the traffic light pilot project. The results of the project will be used to modernise and equip additional traffic light systems in Bavaria with smart technology.
The Bavarian authorities believe that the new traffic lights will provide additional safety on the roads and will be able to solve common traffic problems – things that are beyond the control of classic traffic lights.
For example, when a smart traffic light detects the approach of emergency vehicles such as ambulances or fire engines, it can give priority to such vehicles. The traffic light turns on the red light for all other vehicles, allowing emergency vehicles to pass unimpeded.
The new traffic light shows cyclists when and how long the green light will be on. A collision avoidance system will make sure there is no accident. And the turning assistant should make travelling as safe and smooth as possible.
The intersection in Essenbach was chosen for the pilot project because “there is a fire station in the immediate vicinity where the blue light can be prioritised, the cycle path runs above the traffic light and the visibility to side streets allows the smart turn assistant and collision avoidance systems to be tested,” the Bavarian Ministry of Transport said in a statement quoted by BR. The cost of the smart traffic light is around 100,000 euros.
