An analysis

of traffic in Fayetteville by the Georgia Department of Transportation

shows that travel time has decreased now that the city's traffic signal

connection project is complete.

Overall travel

time has decreased 24 percent since the 11 signals on Ga. highways 85

and 314 have been linked on the same computerized system, according to

the DOT. The improvement was more modest for the seven signals in the

downtown area, which posted a decrease of 6 percent in overall travel

time, the DOT said.

All told, the

new system has cut pollutants from idling automobiles waiting on traffic

lights by an estimated 368,367 pounds, according to the DOT.

The timing

of the signals can be tweaked by the DOT via a computer linkup at the

signal control cabinets. The timing of each signal can also be monitored

and changed from a remote location when necessary, officials said.

In addition

to linking all the 18 traffic signals on the system in Fayetteville, the

project also involved installing new master controllers to control the

timing of each individual signal and the timing between the signals in

each system, city officials said.

The project

was paid for by the City of Fayetteville, who chipped in $150,000, with

another $50,000 coming from Fayette County. The DOT furnished all the

traffic control equipment and fiber optic cable in addition to testing

the system.

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