Imagine you approach an intersection, glance at the signal, and instead of just red, yellow, or green, you see a white light. It sounds futuristic, but transportation researchers are seriously proposing a fourth traffic signal to handle the growing mix of human drivers and autonomous vehicles (AVs). The aim? To smooth traffic flow, reduce delays, and give human drivers clearer instructions when AVs take partial control. It’s not science fiction—it’s a traffic upgrade being tested in simulations now. Understanding this change matters because it may reshape how we drive, how intersections work, and how we transition into a more automated driving era.
