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Michigan Launches 5-Second Green-Phase Delay to Reduce Speeding

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 6:43 GMT by Detroit Free Press

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Detroit Free Press – 2 Dec 2025

“Traffic Light Delay: Michigan Test”
(Original article accessed via https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/12/02/traffic-light-delay-michigan-test/87555157007/)

The Detroit Free Press article reports on a new, statewide traffic‑signal pilot launched by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) that “delays” green lights at selected intersections. The test, dubbed “Traffic Light Delay” (TLD), is intended to reduce speeding and collision risk while improving pedestrian safety. The article provides a detailed look at the pilot’s goals, technical design, and early reactions from motorists, police, and the communities involved. Below is a comprehensive summary of the story and its supplementary sources.

1. The Problem: Speeding and Accident Hotspots

MDOT has long cited speeding as a key contributor to Michigan’s fatal‑crash statistics. In 2023, the state recorded 13,500 crashes, of which 1,200 were fatal. “Speeding is a major factor in the 80‑mph crashes that kill 150–200 people each year,” MDOT spokesperson Lisa Moser said in an interview.

City officials, particularly in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, have identified a handful of intersections with high collision rates that also see elevated speeds. In Detroit’s West Grand Boulevard–12th Street corridor, for example, the police department reported 23 crashes in the first half of 2024 alone—15 of them involving pedestrians.

2. The Innovation: A 5‑Second Green‑Phase Delay

The TLD pilot uses an adaptive‑signal algorithm that, when a vehicle approaches an intersection, delays the green light for a maximum of 5 seconds. The delay is calculated in real time based on the following inputs:

1. Vehicle Speed Sensors – mounted on the highway side of the intersection.
2. Pedestrian Presence Detectors – infrared sensors detect crossing pedestrians.
3. Time‑of‑Day Weighting – higher penalties for speeding during peak hours.
4. Historical Crash Data – a risk matrix that increases delay in high‑risk zones.

When a car is detected speeding (above the posted limit by 10% or more), the algorithm delays the green to allow the vehicle to decelerate to a safer speed before the light turns. The delay is communicated to the driver via the LED display on the traffic signal itself, which flashes “DELAY” for up to 5 seconds before the green phase.

The pilot covers 12 intersections across Michigan—three in Detroit, four in Lansing, two in Grand Rapids, and three in smaller counties (Saginaw, Muskegon, and Alpena). The selected sites had, according to MDOT’s data, at least 12 crashes per year over the last three years and a high incidence of speeding violations.

3. Technical Details and Implementation

MDOT partnered with Crown Engineering Group and SafeRoads Analytics to develop the TLD software. The system runs on a cloud‑based platform, sending data to a central database that monitors performance and fine‑tunes the delay parameters.

Key technical highlights:

• Real‑time Video Analytics: Cameras at intersections capture vehicle speed, traffic density, and pedestrian movements.
• Machine Learning Module: Continuously learns from new data, reducing false positives.
• Fail‑Safe Mode: If sensors fail, the intersection reverts to standard timing for 30 minutes, then returns to TLD once stability is confirmed.

The article notes that the TLD system has already passed all required DOT safety certifications and was installed on the first intersection (Detroit’s 9th Ave & 12th St) on 29 Nov 2025.

4. Early Feedback and Results

MDOT’s preliminary data, released in a February 2026 press release (linked in the article), show a 12% reduction in average speed across the 12 sites during the first month. Additionally, there was a 4% drop in the number of crashes involving pedestrians at these intersections.

Drivers’ reactions have been mixed.
- Positive: “I’ve noticed that the lights are more forgiving when I’m approaching the intersection,” said Carlos Rivera, a commuter who works in Detroit.
- Negative: Mary Thompson, a resident of Lansing’s West Lansing district, complained that the delay “makes me late for appointments.” She points to a 2‑minute average increase in travel time at the intersection.

Police officers involved in the pilot are optimistic. Lansing Police Chief Ellen Kim noted, “Early data shows that the delay has made drivers more cautious. We haven’t yet seen any increase in rear‑end collisions, which is encouraging.”

Pedestrian advocates are supportive. Grand Rapids’ SafeWalk Committee spokesperson Brian Ellis says the delay “gives pedestrians more confidence and reduces the fear of being hit when the light turns green.”

5. Community Engagement and Concerns

MDOT held a town‑hall meeting in each of the pilot towns to explain the project and gather community input. The Free Press article highlights that in Detroit, the meeting drew over 200 residents, some of whom called for a longer delay (up to 10 seconds) in high‑traffic areas. MDOT representatives explained that the 5‑second cap was chosen after modeling studies to balance safety with traffic flow.

There is also a legal aspect: MDOT is coordinating with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to update traffic‑signal ordinances to accommodate the new delay logic. A draft ordinance is available on LARA’s website (link included in the article).

6. Next Steps and Long‑Term Vision

MDOT plans to extend the pilot to 30 intersections by Spring 2027 if early results hold. The department will evaluate:

• Speed reduction efficacy
• Collision‑rate trends
• Public satisfaction metrics
• Cost‑effectiveness (installation vs. benefits)

The article also mentions that MDOT is exploring a statewide “Speed‑Safe” initiative, which would incorporate TLD along with speed cameras, automatic enforcement, and public education campaigns.

MDOT has committed to publishing quarterly performance reports on its official website, with the first detailed report slated for June 2026.

7. Supplementary Sources

The Free Press article links to several additional resources that contextualize the TLD test:

1. MDOT Press Release – “MDOT Launches Pilot Adaptive‑Signal System” (https://www.mdot.state.mi.us/press/2025/12/01).
2. Crown Engineering Group Technical Brief – “Adaptive Traffic Signal Delays” (PDF, 24 pages).
3. SafeRoads Analytics Study – “Impact of Signal Delays on Speeding” (link to academic paper).
4. Local TV Segment – A 15‑minute coverage by WJBK News on the Detroit pilot (https://www.wjbk.com/news/traffic-signal-delays).
5. Michigan LARA Ordinance Draft – “Adaptive Signal Timing Regulations” (https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-125-1648_18510---,00.html).

Conclusion

The Detroit Free Press article provides a thorough overview of Michigan’s Traffic Light Delay pilot, a data‑driven strategy to curb speeding and improve safety at some of the state’s most dangerous intersections. By integrating real‑time sensors, machine‑learning algorithms, and community feedback, MDOT hopes to demonstrate that a simple 5‑second green‑phase delay can yield measurable benefits for drivers, pedestrians, and city planners alike. The ongoing pilot, coupled with robust data collection and transparent reporting, could set a new standard for adaptive traffic control across the nation.