Traffic on Skibo Road is heavy all year long, not just around the holidays. Plans are under way to widen the road, but officials say that is not enough to relieve traffic.
"We all want to be on the same piece of asphalt at the same time, so we get congestion," said David King, deputy secretary for transportation. "The only way we know to handle that is to handle the roads we do have more effectively."
To do that, the State Department of Transportation is turning to modern technology.
DOT officialsare traveling to every region in the state and seeking input from local leaders on how to implement ITS, Intelligent Transportation Systems.
ITS can already be seen in the Triangle. Traffic cameras are placed on busy roads to watch for trouble, and overhead signs warn motorists of problems ahead. The technology will be installed all around Fayetteville by late spring.
"If we can warn people and say, 'There's an accident ahead, and avoid it,' that will save them time and frustration," said Jimmy Teal, Chief Planning Officer.
More computerized traffic signals in Fayetteville will also reduce wait time.
All cities have different traffic needs. DOT officials say the key to success with ITS is to make sure that the technology in each city will work together in a statewide system.
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