Do Traffic Signals Need a Fourth Light for Self-driving Cars?

A “white light” added to traffic signals could enable self-driving vehicles to help control traffic flow—and let human drivers know what’s going on. “The white phase concept also incorporates a new traffic signal, so that human drivers know what they are supposed to do. The white light is a signal that AVs are coordinating their movement to facilitate traffic through the intersection more efficiently. What’s important is that there be a signal that is clearly identifiable by drivers.”The researchers first introduced a “white phase” traffic intersection concept in 2020. “For example, ports see high volumes of commercial vehicle traffic, for which traffic flow is particularly important.