Speeding to catch the next green light can now have exactly the opposite effect on certain streets in Albuquerque and Portland. Drive too quickly toward one of their specially equipped intersections, and the traffic signal may leave you sitting at red instead.
Drivers who stick to the posted limit get the better deal, as sensors monitor approaching vehicles and can provide an earlier green light when motorists arrive at an appropriate speed, effectively rewarding slower driving with a smoother trip.
The Associated Press reports that Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Portland, Oregon, are using versions of a traffic-control strategy commonly called “rest in red.” The basic concept isn’t new, although these cities have added speed detection to give drivers another reason to obey the limit…