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California DOT uses communications technology to improve traffic flow

GasBuddy Blog -- For as long as the U.S. has had cars traveling on roads and highways, our answer to alleviating traffic has been to build more roads and highways. And no matter how many times we've been disappointed by the short-term approach of 'adding more lanes', transportation experts, engineers and politicians have been reluctant to try anything else.

California's DOT may be changing that with management of communications technology to expedite traffic flow. That's what they're doing with the San Mateo Smart Corridor Project.

We’re working together to help people get to where they are going easier and faster,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This is a good example of how technology can help us make better use of the...


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Submitted Dec 11, 2012 By: PD
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REPLIES (newest first)
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angieoke
Sophomore Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 8:50:10 PM

whatever it takes to help
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Dec 15, 2012 7:53:35 AM

static traffic flow patterns are the biggest obstacle to traffic flow.
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NorthglennBill
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 1:07:02 PM

Every little helps
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jrschl
Champion Author Louisville

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 12:57:11 PM

Old story now.
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rbrowdersr
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 12:33:37 PM

Hope it works.
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woodyzee
Rookie Author Denver

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 12:27:04 PM

It will be nice if it works
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woodyzee
Rookie Author Denver

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 12:27:03 PM

It will be nice if it works
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woodyzee
Rookie Author Denver

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 12:27:02 PM

It will be nice if it works
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BigOyl
All-Star Author Wichita

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:45:18 AM

SkyNet?!
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Lologogo
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:17:31 AM

saw this earlier. It's a good idea as long as the computers don't take over the world.
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LJGP_MO95
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:14:04 AM

start making those Jettson cars so we won't need lights.
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Eagle3236
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:12:57 AM

This is great news. Many major cities should use this. So much fuel and time wasted by people sitting in traffic jams. One accident or bottleneck can stop the flow so quickly.
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mikesr100
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:12:45 AM

Fix the Roads First!
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radiorumor
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:10:53 AM

A less expensive way would be to move to West Texas. Very little traffic out there. That would be about as far east as you need to consider.
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uglytom
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:10:47 AM

WILL BE A DROP IN THE BUCKET
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BoerneWatch
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:09:48 AM

We will see.

Traffic flow is graded from an "A" to an "F" and most would think you want all "A's" but that is not the case.

Sometimes a C or D is just fine since in order to be graded an A the road, street or highway has to have consistent at or near speed limit flow 24/7.

Backing up for commuters or shoppers may be better than going broke putting in interstate highways everywhere or changing streets to one way and only allowing right hand turns so that you can get that coveted "A."

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W4YAH
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:08:51 AM

Good for them.
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AriesMMD
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:08:39 AM

government work: it'll get done late and come in way over budget then fail a month later.
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cutter1330
Champion Author Oklahoma

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:08:32 AM

Might just work!!
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txrojo2005
All-Star Author Austin

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:08:17 AM

The population is growing and so is the number of cars on the highways. This will not change until we have a population drop or the roads get too crowded and people voluntarily stop driving.
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prkuehn
Champion Author Arkansas

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:07:54 AM

Could not give a crap.
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greshams
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:06:31 AM

hope it works.
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peanutsMN
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:05:25 AM

old news
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CptnCanada
Champion Author Saskatoon

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:05:19 AM

California DOT cannot find an intersection with both hands on the road map
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CocoPaz
Champion Author Santa Barbara

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:05:14 AM

flow, flow, flow your boat...

We are praying for those of you hurt by H. Sandy.
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Wolfwings
Champion Author Delaware

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:04:30 AM

Old.
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Catfish93001
Champion Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:03:00 AM

It'll all be better once self-driving cars are on the road!
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Cableman66
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:02:00 AM

Old news.
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Topshopper2011
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:01:42 AM

good
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Alfied
Champion Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 11:01:35 AM

Good luck.
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biggyhy
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:59:52 AM

more states need to try this
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40mpgsaturn
Champion Author Wisconsin

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:58:33 AM

Might work.
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snakebitef22
Veteran Author Corpus Christi

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:58:05 AM

About time and maybe help with local traffic as well traffic signals make no sense , you get a green in one street only to get a red light at the next no flow at all....
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Car54BC08
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:57:52 AM

This is a repeat
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1Casey
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:57:30 AM

why did it take so long ?
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sparkie951
Champion Author Roanoke

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:57:01 AM

Will see how it goes... Sounds like a good plan.
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Fitwit
Champion Author Stockton

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:55:11 AM

Our Freeways need all the help that's possible.
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gonzohb
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:53:47 AM

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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GManCo
Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:52:46 AM

Old news and bad at that.
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nanu4u21
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:52:23 AM

Time will tell
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CPayZombie
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:50:31 AM

There will always be someone who follows the GPS directions into the middle of the desert. This technology is not for them.
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mpgmustang
Sophomore Author Akron

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:50:29 AM

California is last place I would want to drive a car!!! And that's sad because growing up I always wanted to cruise rodeo drive or sunset drive in a mustang convertible.
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HATinMUNDY
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:48:51 AM

Time will tell.....
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Beboper
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:48:13 AM

old news
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UpSol7
Champion Author Augusta

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:48:06 AM

'hang up and drive' would help traffic flow too....
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redbeard47229
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:44:54 AM

Watch out for the hackers!
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stpatrickbday
Champion Author Albuquerque

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:43:33 AM

Just another excuse to raise gas prices.
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Holly123
Champion Author Charlotte

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:43:32 AM

2 days running ...
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Tutootin
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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:42:51 AM

Old "news".
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drawee
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2012 10:42:13 AM

Old news...
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