The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) a $1.3 million SMART grant to support a Freight Signal Priority (FSP) technology pilot program.
FSP technology uses real-time GPS data from truck electronic logging devices to determine a truck’s speed and location. The system sends a request to the signal controller when a truck approaches a traffic signal, causing the green light to be extended by five to seven seconds. This allows the truck to safely move through the intersection instead of stopping.
PennDOT will install the technology at an intersection in Harrisburg and along the Harrisburg Pike. The agency chose the locations based on the percentage of each location’s total traffic coming from trucks, hardware in the traffic signals, the traffic signals’ efficiency along the corridors, and air quality reports.
“Efficient movement of goods is central to our economy, however truck traffic can create congestion, cause supply chain delays and increase pollution in our communities.” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “The Shapiro Administration looks forward to piloting this technology that will help keep our trucks and goods moving while also keeping our air cleaner.”
The technology will be installed in other high freight areas statewide.