Traffic Control

Traffic control refers in general to the use of signals, devices, and road design to safely route and manage automobiles, encompassing everything from stop signs to medians/central reservations, to pedestrian crosswalks. The subject has entered debates over surveillance and privacy due to the increasing use of automated traffic monitoring and enforcement techniques, particularly cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Many municipal traffic control agencies worldwide now use cameras or closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to deter red light running or speeding, as well as manage traffic flow, and ALPRs are coming into wider use as tracking tools and to enforce parking and vehicle registration regulations. This entry examines the history and use of red light and speed cameras, ALPRs, and congestion control, as well as ...