According to PennDOT, the Green Light-Go Program is a reimbursement grant program that will see municipalities get the money back for projects that improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. The upgraded technology allows traffic signals to better respond to real-time traffic demands through the use of updated detection systems that can actually "think" and respond.

Locally, Allegheny County is leading the way with grants, receiving about $4.7 million, of which more than $1 million is coming from the City of Pittsburgh. More than a dozen area municipalities will benefit from the upgrades including Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon, Green Tree, McCandless, and Wilkinsburg.

Nearby counties like Washington County will get nearly $900,000, Fayette County will get nearly $500,000, Butler County will get $295,000, and Beaver County will receive $132,000.

According to reports from communities where technology improvements have already been implemented, "We do, in fact, see better traffic movement when we have these technologies," said PennDOT spokesperson Erin Waters-Trasatt. "A lot of it is helping emergency services get through the light faster," she said. "It's making sure signals are responding to what traffic is in the moment, not just sitting there."

As reported by CBS News Pittsburgh, Governor Josh Shapiro and his administration have distributed $96 million through the Green Light-Go Program since taking office. Applications for the next round of grants will be available from March 1-31.

Source: PennDOT, CBS News Pittsburgh