Light synchronization minimizes delay and excess fuel consumption. The state, in 1994, calculated emissions comparing arterial progression with no progression and found significant emissions reductions in the short and long term with synchronization. Overall, I found that emissions decreased with traffic signal progression, at higher traveling speeds, and with lower VMTs. Arterial progression also proved to have emissions benefits. Stop signs had a negative impact, creating more emissions and increasing fuel consumption.
Traffic calming can be a useful alternative to stop signs.
Techniques that do not require cars to stop or decelerate unnecessarily, such as speed bumps, can result in the reduction of emissions. The city should consider implementing light progression for part of the day throughout the city. Interagency cooperation between Traffic Engineering, Providence Planning and Development, and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation could help Providence evaluate transportation more comprehensively.