Self-driving cars could lead to a fourth, white traffic signal — or no signals at all: researchers

Researchers suggest that self-driving cars might lead to the introduction of a fourth, white traffic signal, indicating that autonomous vehicles are controlling the intersection. Alternatively, these advancements could render traffic signals obsolete. The changes, imagined by experts like Ali Hajbabaie from North Carolina State University, depend on significant adoption of self-driving technology. Meanwhile, University of Michigan researchers are testing traffic light adaptations using vehicle data in a pilot program in Birmingham, exploring infrastructure-independent solutions to manage traffic flow.