Walnut Creek Introduces 'Talking' Traffic Signals

News from The Contra Costa Transportation Authority:

This morning, the City of Walnut Creek announced a new cutting-edge technology application that will allow all 100 of the city’s traffic signals to ‘talk’ to smartphones through a free application called EnLighten, available for Android and iPhone users.

A few seconds before a red traffic light changes to green, EnLighten will notify drivers through an audio alert that their attention should be refocused on driving. The functionality requires no driver involvement and conforms to local laws regarding cell phone use while driving.

City officials hope this new technology will help smooth traffic and encourage drivers to pay more attention at busy intersections.

“We are pleased to bring this innovative technology to Walnut Creek,” said Mayor Bob Simmons. “It is a great first step in opening our roadways to technology that will make our streets safer in the future.”

The story of bringing EnLighten to Walnut Creek is an example of the power of public/private partnerships between cities, private business and regional and subregional transportation agencies.

The application was developed by Connected Signals, a high-tech startup. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), helped facilitate the match between Connected Signals and the City of Walnut Creek, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission provided the grant funding for implementation.

Through a concerted effort by CCTA, Contra Costa is establishing itself as a hub for transportation technology research and testing. The agency recently partnered with Honda to test autonomous vehicles at the newly established GoMentum Station test facility. The launch of EnLighten in the City of Walnut Creek marks the first time the public can actively use one of the new technologies being tested in the county. Walnut Creek is only the second city in California—and the only city in Northern California—to make this technology available to motorists.

“The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is committed to supporting transportation innovation that will enhance safety,” said Jack Hall, Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Manager at CCTA. “The launch of EnLighten in Walnut Creek represents the first step in developing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication in Contra Costa, and will accelerate the next generation of transportation infrastructure, making the future of driving safer in our community and beyond.”

The Walnut Creek launch of EnLighten for public use could have Bay Area-wide implications, said Andrew B. Fremier, MTC’s Deputy Executive Director for Operations. “We’re eager to see the benefits of this application, since this type of technology could be widely deployed around the Bay Area, if it proves successful in improving the efficiency and safety at intersections in Walnut Creek.”

City officials plan to use the initial deployment of this technology to improve traffic flow in Walnut Creek and evaluate how Intelligent Transportation Systems can be implemented to help better manage traffic for motorists in the City.

Enlighten is available for download from Google Play or the AppStore.