Proposed system would use cell phone pings to help alleviate traffic

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More than a dozen central Florida cities are on board with a new program that would use cell phone pings to help control traffic.
 
Congressman John Mica is trying to secure federal funding for a pilot program that would mimic systems in New York City and Washington, D.C.
 
There are already sensors along some of the area's biggest roads so Florida Department of Transportation officials can see how many people are traveling the roads.
 
Some people, like home care nurse Sandra Mateos, think using the sensors to ease traffic is a good idea.
 
"My area specifically, Altamonte Springs by the mall, is very congested," Mateos said.
 
The system would place sensors at intersections to count cars and the information would sensor a real-time response at the traffic light to turn green or red to relieve congestion.
 
"I live in Maitland right now and the traffic there, with all the growth, it's going to be very, very hard to get out of my neighborhood. So if I see more of this technology to alleviate the traffic, it would definitely help us out a lot," resident Kevin DeLa Cerna said.
 
Mica said the first step is getting cities and counties on board, despite $100 million in federal grant money being up for grabs.
 
Half of the cities and counties involved have already approved resolutions supporting the program. The other half are scheduled to discuss it at meetings this month.
 
Mica said the system is much quicker and cheaper than widening roads.
 
Mica said there isn't a timeline for when the program could roll out because they're still trying to secure grant funding.