Clark County Cuts Commute Times by 40% with Smart Signals

Project Overview

Clark County has always been a place defined by movement. From its early role as a key waypoint during the Lewis and Clark Expedition to its current status as one of Washington’s fastest-growing regions, the county has never stood still. But while the population surged past  500,000 and new development reshaped the landscape; one thing didn’t evolve fast enough: the roads.

Across 2,600 miles of roadway and 130 intersections, traffic signals from the 1980s were still in charge. Commute times dragged. Intersections became unpredictable. Emissions rose. And  everyday life was increasingly shaped by systems that weren’t built for today.

Rather than settle for minor improvements, Clark County made a commitment to invest in a comprehensive intelligent traffic management system. One built to adapt in real time, prioritize safety, and scale with the community. A system that reflects how Clark County moves now—and where it’s headed next.

 

Problem: Traffic Systems Stuck in the Past

Clark County’s signals operated on fixed timing and legacy tech. They couldn’t respond to live traffic conditions, and outdated sensors offered inconsistent data. Intersections became hotspots for delays, fuel waste, and rising emissions.

Traffic signal timing was rigid. Peak hours brought congestion that spilled into side streets, while  unexpected disruptions overwhelmed the system. Pedestrian safety suffered too, especially where crosswalk signals lagged or didn’t reflect real-world usage.

Without real-time traffic monitoring or traffic performance analytics, the transportation infrastructure lacked flexibility. Every day felt like rush hour. Something had to give.

 

Solution: A Real-Time, Scalable Upgrade

To build a smart and efficient traffic network, Clark County partnered with Cubic Transportation Systems to design and deploy a fully integrated intelligent traffic system. It combined adaptive signal control, video-based detection, and public-facing analytics to create a traffic management framework that responds to real-time conditions and scales with the county’s continued growth.

Gridsmart® Video Detection

Gridsmart detection delivered full-circle visibility at busy intersections. These detection cameras captured live data on vehicle, bike, and pedestrian movement, enabling better decisions across the traffic network. This real-time traffic monitoring helped traffic managers understand trends, detect bottlenecks, and adjust for efficiency.

SynchroGreen® Adaptive Signal Control

SynchroGreen brought flexibility to the flow. Instead of using static cycles, the system evaluated current traffic conditions in real-time and adjusted signal timing accordingly. On a high-volume corridor near Highway 99, peak signal cycles dropped from 130 seconds to just 80–90, dramatically improving traffic flow optimization and reducing driver frustration.

ATSPM + STEVE Dashboard

With Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM), the county could continuously monitor how signals performed across the network. These insights flowed into the STEVE  dashboard (Signal Timing, Evaluation, Verification, and Enhancement), offering a real-time  window into intersection efficiency. Residents gained visibility into how the intelligent traffic system worked and how traffic signal timing was being refined over time.

Prioritizing Pedestrian Safety

The upgrades addressed pedestrian safety head-on. Flashing yellow arrows across crosswalks were eliminated. Left-turn phases were redesigned to hold while people crossed. These  changes made intersections more intuitive and significantly safer for all road users, especially in high-foot-traffic areas.

Smart Operations and Budget Efficiency

Automated systems reduced the need for manual reprogramming, enabling city teams to operate more efficiently and protect funding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clark County was able to preserve 100% of its traffic operations budget while still making system-wide improvements to its transportation infrastructure.

 

Key Results

• 40% reduction in left-turn wait times.  
• 30% fewer collisions at key intersections.  
• ⅓ fewer accidents, thanks to real-time, data-driven decisions.  
• 100% budget protection—no more manual signal adjustments.  
• Enhanced pedestrian safety with automatic, intelligent signal changes.  
• Reduced fuel consumption and emissions, cutting down on unnecessary idle time.  
• Expansion to 90 intersections in the pipeline, setting the stage for future-proof growth.

 

Conclusion

Clark County is setting a new pace for how local governments approach urban traffic solutions.

With an intelligent traffic system built around smart traffic sensors, adaptive signal control, and transparent performance analytics, the county created a transportation network that’s faster, safer, and ready for the future.

This isn’t a one-off improvement—it’s a long-term investment in traffic network efficiency, environmental impact, and quality of life. As Clark County expands its reach to 90+ intersections, its commitment to real-time traffic responsiveness and smart infrastructure continues to move the region forward.