LiDAR Traffic Signal Upgrades On Tap In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown is upgrading traffic signals at intersections throughout the city by replacing older, failing in-road detection systems with LiDAR traffic sensors.

That is short for a Light Detection and Ranging system.

The sensors detect the presence of approaching vehicles and communicate with the traffic signal system, allowing signals to respond more efficiently to actual traffic conditions.

There are no conspiracy theories, police said.

"We want to be clear about what this technology does and does not do," police said. "The LiDAR units being installed are not cameras and do not record video or images. The systems are configured solely as presence/occupancy detectors and do not include data analytics for surveillance or individual vehicle tracking."

Police continued, "Simply put, the system detects that a vehicle is there, not who is in it, who owns it, or where it is going. The goal of this upgrade is straightforward — replace aging infrastructure with more reliable technology and help improve traffic flow through Middletown. No cameras. No surveillance. No individual vehicle tracking. Just smarter traffic detection designed to keep Middletown moving."

"The LiDAR units being installed are not cameras and do not record video or images."

Middletown Police

The following intersections have already been upgraded or are currently in the process of being upgraded:

• Main Street Extension / East Main Street
• Camp Street / Westfield Street
• Broad Street / Church Street

Ploice said they will update the public as intersections are added.