PennDOT has been awarded a $1.3 million SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to pilot Freight Signal Priority (FSP) technology in Pennsylvania. The initiative aims to address truck congestion, reduce emissions, and enhance the efficiency of goods movement.

FSP technology will initially be deployed at two high-traffic corridors: Cameron Street in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) and the Harrisburg Pike “Miracle Mile” in Middlesex Township (Cumberland County). These locations were selected based on traffic flow efficiency, the high percentage of truck traffic, air quality data, and the availability of compatible signal hardware.

The system uses real-time GPS data from truck electronic logging devices to determine a truck's speed and location. When a truck is approaching a traffic signal, the system extends the green light by five to seven seconds, allowing the truck to move through the intersection safely. This is expected to reduce idling, improve traffic flow, and minimize emissions. If successful, the program will expand to other freight-heavy areas across the state.

“Truck congestion has a significant impact on the supply chain, causing delays, increasing costs for consumers, and making the job more challenging for truck drivers,” said Rebecca Oyler, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. “Pennsylvania ranks eighth in the U.S. for statewide costs related to truck congestion at over $3.7 billion, so we’re excited to be on the cutting edge with this pilot project. Technology solutions hold a lot of promise for helping to solve the challenging issue of truck congestion. We’re anxious to see the results of the project.”