17.02.2026 10:50
A new system that adds white lights to traffic signals is being piloted in the United States. The system, which will be activated at intersections with a high volume of autonomous vehicles, aims to increase traffic flow by 10%.
A fourth color is being added to the long-used red, yellow, and green system at traffic lights. The "white light" application, tested in pilot areas in the United States, aims to facilitate smoother movement of autonomous vehicles in traffic.
As the number of vehicles increases, urban traffic becomes denser, and environmental issues arise, there is a need for smarter solutions in traffic management. Expert teams have developed this new concept to adapt to the digitizing vehicle technologies.
WHAT DOES WHITE LIGHT MEAN?
In the new system, the white light will signal drivers to "follow the vehicle in front of them." The system, which will activate when the number of autonomous vehicles at an intersection reaches a certain level, will allow driverless vehicles to communicate wirelessly with each other and traffic management centers to determine the most ideal passage time.
When the white light is on, the basic rule for human drivers will not change: They will follow the vehicle in front of them. If the vehicle stops, they will stop; if it moves, they will proceed.
TRAFFIC COULD SPEED UP BY 10%
Pilot tests and computer simulations in the U.S. have shown that the white light system increases traffic efficiency. Experts believe that the application could provide a speed increase of up to 10% in traffic flow. Additionally, a reduction in the number of stops and starts is expected to lead to fuel savings and a decrease in carbon emissions.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE
The new regulation does not completely eliminate the existing three-color system. The red, yellow, and green lights will continue to function. The white light will only be active when autonomous vehicles take over intersection management. If the number of autonomous vehicles is insufficient, the system will automatically revert to the classic arrangement.
Experts state that the global spread of white light is dependent on the increase in the number of autonomous vehicles. In the smart cities of the future, traffic lights are expected to become not just stop-go signals, but digital centers that exchange data with vehicles.