What condition is necessary for a green wave to be effective?

What condition is necessary for a green wave to be effective?

• A. Coordinated signal timing across multiple intersections
• B. Random signal changes at each intersection
• C. Pedestrian-only control
• D. Traffic avoidance around corridor

Answer: (A)

A green wave requires coordinated signal timing across multiple intersections so a group of vehicles can travel through successive greens without stopping. By setting the cycle length and the offset between signals so that the greens line up for the speed at which vehicles travel, a platoon can move smoothly along the corridor. When signals are coordinated, a car or bus traveling at the intended speed will encounter green lights at each intersection, reducing stops, improving travel time, and increasing corridor efficiency. If signals are not coordinated, greens at different intersections won’t align, causing vehicles to routinely stop at reds and breaking the progression. Random signal changes would destroy any consistent timing, making a green wave unreliable. Pedestrian-only control changes the emphasis away from vehicle progression, which undermines the concept of a green wave. And avoiding traffic around the corridor isn’t what creates the sequential green timing that keeps traffic moving steadily.

A green wave requires coordinated signal timing across multiple intersections so a group of vehicles can travel through successive greens without stopping. By setting the cycle length and the offset between signals so that the greens line up for the speed at which vehicles travel, a platoon can move smoothly along the corridor. When signals are coordinated, a car or bus traveling at the intended speed will encounter green lights at each intersection, reducing stops, improving travel time, and increasing corridor efficiency.

If signals are not coordinated, greens at different intersections won’t align, causing vehicles to routinely stop at reds and breaking the progression. Random signal changes would destroy any consistent timing, making a green wave unreliable. Pedestrian-only control changes the emphasis away from vehicle progression, which undermines the concept of a green wave. And avoiding traffic around the corridor isn’t what creates the sequential green timing that keeps traffic moving steadily.