Adaptive traffic signal technology coming to Macdonald Bridge corridor

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

New technology will save drivers time moving through one of the busiest traffic spots in the Halifax area, according to the provincial government.

On Monday, Public Works Minister Fred Tilley announced adaptive signal-light technology is coming to eight intersections along the Macdonald Bridge corridor at a cost of $700,000:

• Nantucket Avenue at Victoria Road
• Nantucket Avenue at Zatzman Sportsplex
• Nantucket Avenue at Wyse Road
• North Street at Gottingen Street
• North Street at Agricola Street
• North Street at Robie Street
• North Street at Windsor Street
• North Street at Oxford Street

Tilley said the signals use camera sensors so standard traffic lights can detect real-time vehicle volumes and automatically adjust the timing of the light, which can reduce delays and improve travel times.

“We’ve seen in other jurisdictions that adaptive signals are low impact and high benefit,” said Tilley. “They use existing infrastructure and they can be installed with relatively minor disruption, so daily commuters won’t have to worry about long construction periods or detours but will notice an improved experience through these key intersections.”

Adaptive traffic lights will be in place at intersections along the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge corridor later this year. (Province of Nova Scotia)

Officials said the plan is to install the equipment in the summer, with the system then spending a period of time collecting traffic data. The adaptive signalling would then be “switched on” sometime in the fall.

Moving forward, officials will be looking to bring the technology to part of Barrington Street. Tilley said other busy corridors in Halifax could be studied as well, including Robie and Quinpool.