What technology is often used to monitor traffic signal performance?

Remote monitoring systems connected to traffic signal controllers are crucial for assessing traffic signal performance in real time. These systems provide direct feedback on signal operation, allowing traffic engineers to observe traffic patterns, detect malfunctions, and make timely adjustments. By using remote monitoring, cities can collect data about traffic flow, signal timing effectiveness, and even vehicle counts, resulting in improved traffic management and enhanced safety for road users.

While technologies like closed-circuit television (CCTV) are useful for visual monitoring, they do not provide the same level of detailed performance data directly from the traffic signals. Similarly, radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and automated license plate recognition (ALPR) systems serve different purposes; RFID primarily facilitates vehicle identification and tracking, while ALPR is focused on reading license plates for various applications, such as law enforcement or toll collection. Neither specifically monitors or evaluates the performance of traffic signals directly like remote monitoring systems do.