/ Modified nov 25, 2019 10:25 a.m.

UA team working to make intersections safer in Tucson

A study group is recommending changes to improve safety and efficiency.

speedway traffic light Researchers found changing light timing patterns are the key to efficient traffic flow.
Nate Huffman/AZPM

University of Arizona researchers are helping ease traffic hassles on Tucson's busiest streets.

The research team is partnering with the city to change signal patterns at key Tucson intersections. UA civic engineering professor Yao-Jan Wu specializes in data-driven solutions to traffic problems. He notes his team started with the fact most Tucsonans drive across the city on surface streets instead of freeways.

"In this city, most drivers count on arterials to cross the town. So, safety is our ultimate goal. We want to reduce crashes," he said.

Wu says his team started the study by focusing on traffic signal patterns on Speedway Boulevard. The researchers found that making changes in left turn signaling can help drivers navigate more safely and efficiently, especially during peak traffic times in the morning and afternoon. Wu says the city is considering the group's recommendations.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona