The City of Columbus wants to invest $36.8 million to purchase a high-tech system that would give traffic controllers direct access to coordinate traffic lights across the city. When traffic backs up because of an accident, congestion, or re-routing, traffic controllers could change lights with a flick of a switch to get cars moving more quickly through intersections.

The system is already in place in parts of downtown Columbus, but the new investment would expand the area of control to places as far away as I-270. That would give operators much more control over the region's traffic patterns.

The new system would replace an aging 1970s traffic light network that could also take into account new forms of transportation. While currently bikers at some intersections have to wait for a vehicle to activate a signal, new sensors in the system could recognize two-wheeled travelers and switch the light for them as well.

The system will be implemented in phases meant to be complete by 2018. You can find more information here. A press release from the city can be downloaded here.