Today’s Solutions: December 14, 2025

Traffic congestion wastes time, gas and money. According to the most recent Urban Mobility Report by the Texas Transportation Institute, it cost US commuters 5.5 billion hours and 2.9 billion gallons of fuel in 2011 (all $121 billion worth), as well as an additional 56 billion pounds of carbon emissions. In Europe, congestion costs 1% of the GDP every year. Consequently, it’s no small relief no know that researchers at MIT have been developing a sophisticated algorithm to create traffic light patterns that keep traffic moving. The technology takes into account the complex interactions among all streets in a city, and calculates the impact on fuel efficiency and pollution. The model was tested in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is now focusing on Manhattan.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

7 Reasons to sign your teen up for Model UN

Following the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, your child may be asking some questions about what exactly the UN is and how they ...

Read More

What the California food additive ban means for the candy industry

In a big step forward for food safety, California recently enacted a new law known as the "Skittles ban." While the nickname may be ...

Read More

Showering mom with love: when is Mother’s Day this year, and why do we ...

Prepare to honor the leading lady in your life as Mother's Day approaches. With Mother's Day approaching, now is the time to create a ...

Read More

Keeping homes cool in hot, dry climates—lessons from ancient civilizations

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As global temperatures rise and power outages become more common, particularly during severe heat waves, current building designs ...

Read More