With green traffic lights to fewer pollutants

The first attempts at car-friendly traffic light control were already made in the 1920s on Leipziger Strasse in Berlin. At that time, the traffic lights were still operated manually. From the 1950s onwards, traffic lights were repeatedly set in such a way that a stop was no longer required at a certain driving speed. But traffic flows have swelled over time and are less predictable than they used to be. Traffic lights are particularly effective when they adapt to the traffic. Road users drive in a more relaxed manner overall, which of course also has an effect on driving style and increases road safety. In addition, fuel is saved: in test trials, 15 percent less fuel was used.

In Hamburg, the green traffic light phase is already being tested. Data from the traffic lights is linked to a programme that indicates the location and speed of the driver's own vehicle and thus calculates the speed at which the driver must drive in order to cover the distance without stopping at a traffic light.

This new traffic light system is also being successfully tested in Austria. In Salzburg, Audi has already digitally connected its newer models to all traffic lights. All Audi drivers are thus informed 250 metres before the traffic lights what speed they have to drive at in order to be able to cross the lights when they turn green. If there is a stop, the seconds until the next changeover are displayed on the speedometer.

Linz is now planning something similar. Around two million euros are to be invested in modernising the old traffic lights. Networked in this way, the car will be able to register cyclists and pedestrians before the driver does. In addition, the traffic lights are to be equipped with measuring devices that will provide valuable data on the pollutant content of the city air. The fact that fewer pollutants are emitted is due to reduced fuel consumption and braking processes alone.