The Magic Roundabout of Seattle Area

Re:The Magic Roundabout of Seattle Area by WalterBright on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @12:42AM (#48565765)

Another reason it's way better is because of all the time spent waiting at a red light when there's zero cross traffic. The traffic lights all have cameras now, you'd think the traffic engineers would hook it up to AI and optimize the lights. But no.

A taste of what that would be like is when all the power goes out, including the power to the traffic lights. Traffic moves faster! Because drivers cooperate. Traffic also moves faster when a cop is directing traffic.

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Re:The Magic Roundabout of Seattle Area by entropicdrifter on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @01:42PM (#48573891)

The lights in my small Pennsylvania town just got cameras and do seem to be using ML to recognize traffic build-up and optimize dynamically for traffic flow. Pretty cool stuff.

I think the real reason they were installed was because of a new state law that goes into effect this July where you'll be fined if you're spotted holding a smartphone by a traffic cam. Still, the faster light changes are quite welcome.

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Re:The Magic Roundabout of Seattle Area by mikestew on Wednesday June 17, 2026 @01:48PM (#48573964)

…a new state law that goes into effect this July where you'll be fined if you're spotted holding a smartphone by a traffic cam.

Wait, what?! I’m at a loss as to the behavior they’re trying to curb with such a law.

EDIT: OIC, it’s not “using a phone near a traffic cam”, it’s “using a phone while driving (even at a stop light) and a traffic cam captures you doing it”.

Somewhat relevant: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/new-pa-ban-on-cel...

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