A sea of green lights

Traffic lights.

Small things can make a big difference.

This week's Maclean's has a great piece by Tom Henheffer explaining research that could speed traffic, cut idle times, reduce energy use and make everyone happier -- all by changing the way traffic lights work.

Gridlock and slow traffic are real problems. They affect real people -- who want to get home to see their families. We have to fix transport -- transit, cars, bicycles, buses and subways will all have a role to play. Small steps -- making traffic lights work better, linking the traffic control systems between adjoining cities (think of Yonge at Steeles in the GTA) -- will add up to a big step.