By Randy Caudill and Tony Holton

Background Energy is higher demand than ever. With the recent scientific studies performed on climate change and global warming, we need to find energy saving solutions to curtail the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels. There is huge amounts of energy wasted everyday. In our homes, on our streets, and in our manufacturing processes to name a few. Without tackling this issue the demand for energy will only increase daily.

Problem Traffic lights and stop signs everywhere are currently stopping vehicles when there is no one else at the intersection Stopping needlessly not only wastes time, as some people may think, it also waste 387,000 barrels of oil each day

Project Timed traffic light in rural town of Millersburg, KY causes undue waste in energy and time The population was 842 at the 2000 census. This community has one timed traffic light on US 68, a busy route between Northern Kentucky and Lexington with a daily average of ~7000 vehicles

Proposed solutions Lights that sense approaching traffic via weight or proximity sensor Time lights during rush hour, flashing yellow and red during non-peak hours

Selection of Best Solution Due to the limited funds of Millersburg. The best solution is to hold a town meeting and present the data collected. Ask the town council to try out doing away with the light altogether and installing flashing caution lights for major thoroughfares and flashing red lights for minor thoroughfares at intersection. Next option is to install weight sensors at intersection to control light. This option will be more expensive.

Impact Use the Millersburg example on a nationwide effort to reduce the waste of energy at intersections with timed traffic lights