US Cities Pilot Rest in Red Rewards Drivers

Cities including Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Portland, Oregon, are testing a rest-in-red approach that rewards careful driving by shortening red-light delays for those traveling at or near the speed limit, while slower or speeding drivers face longer waits. The strategy relies on speed sensors and traffic signals that give earlier greens to compliant drivers, a concept Albuquerque officials describe as a modern twist on rest-in-red. Early results are promising: residents report fewer dangerous incidents and a noticeable drop in crashes and injuries on targeted corridors. City officials, such as Albuquerque’s Jennifer Turner, say the technology itself serves as a strong incentive for safer behavior, with signals along Lead and Coal avenues guiding drivers to slow down. Portland has also implemented the concept, including a late-night rollout on Southeast Powell Boulevard, and proponents call the system a “virtual speed bump” that can substantially reduce average speeds. By aligning signal timings with posted speeds, the programs aim to make steady, lawful driving more efficient and less stressful than racing through intersections, reducing the reliance on tickets to curb dangerous speeding.