Are Traffic Lights to Blame for Florida’s Gridlock? Experts Reveal the Answer

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck at a stoplight during rush hour, Florida’s outdated traffic signal system may be the culprit. A new study suggests modernizing the system with advanced technologies could ease congestion, reduce accidents, and cut emissions.

Jeff Brandes, president of the Florida Policy Project (FPP) and a former Republican state senator, highlights the urgency of addressing the issue. His nonpartisan organization partnered with researchers from the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to analyze the problem and propose solutions.

The Problem: Traffic Delays and Environmental Costs

According to the study, titled “Best Practices: Signalized Intersection Investments,” the average traffic delay per vehicle at Florida intersections was 20.4 seconds in 2022—higher than the national average of 18.1 seconds.

These delays contribute to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers found that Florida’s signalized intersections caused a total daily delay of nearly 180 hours per signal, resulting in over 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per day in 2022.

“We’re spending billions on critical infrastructure like bridges, but a fraction of that could significantly improve the lives of Floridians by upgrading traffic lights,” Brandes said.

Safety Concerns at Intersections

Beyond congestion and pollution, outdated traffic signals pose safety risks, especially for vulnerable road users (VRUs) like pedestrians and cyclists.

Intersections, considered “crucial points” in the transportation system, have seen a troubling rise in fatalities involving VRUs, with a 7.4% annual increase in fatal accidents from 2019 to 2023.

“This isn’t just about shaving a few minutes off your commute,” Brandes emphasized. “It’s about making our roads safer for everyone—drivers, bikers, and pedestrians alike.”

Proposed Solutions: Smart Traffic Systems

The report outlines both short-term and long-term strategies to improve Florida’s traffic infrastructure:

Short-Term Fixes
- Partnering with local governments and private entities to accelerate technology deployment.
- Establishing statewide protocols for upgrading intersections.
Long-Term Vision
- Investing in adaptive systems that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time traffic management.
- Setting statewide performance targets to ensure continuous improvement.

Brandes noted that many of Florida’s signals still rely on outdated timers, describing them as “analog in a digital world.”

Call to Action: Modernize by 2030

Brandes is urging Florida lawmakers to act now, proposing a strategic plan to upgrade traffic lights statewide by 2030.

“This isn’t a question of if—it’s a question of when,” he said. “Let’s make the investment today to build a smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation system for tomorrow.”

With the state’s rapid growth and increasing demand on its infrastructure, modernizing traffic signals could be a transformative step toward a safer and better future.

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