North Carolina is testing a new 'white light' traffic signal that could change driving forever

North Carolina is officially testing a new ‘white light’ traffic signal.

For decades, road users have been following three traffic signals.

But there could soon be a fourth ‘white light’ traffic signal.

And it’s being proposed for a very specific purpose.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

What the fourth traffic light will be used for

It now appears that traffic signal systems could be getting an enormous overhaul.

North Carolina State University (NC State) has proposed adding a fourth light.

Of course, everybody is already familiar with the three current traffic signals.

Green is the universal signal that tells people it is safe to proceed, yellow warns everyone to get ready to slow down, and red means stop.

So what is this proposed fourth light for?

It would be added to serve autonomous vehicles.

How would the new traffic signal work?

This light would be used to let other road users know that autonomous cars are controlling the road.

Traffic lights today tell road users when to stop or when to go.

But autonomous cars are capable of communicating among themselves.

When there are enough autonomous cars near an intersection, the white light would turn on.

This would mean that autonomous cars would control the traffic automatically.

Human drivers would not need to do anything differently.

Instead, they would simply need to follow the automated car in front of them.

Before you start panicking, fear not, because the proposed white light would only activate when there are enough autonomous cars in the area.

So, when and where is this new system being tested?

Well, NC State is already on the case – and is planning to test the system as we speak.

The experiments will be done in controlled areas, places where autonomous cars already function regularly.

It has been reported that one of the first places to test the system could be ports where there is heavy traffic and few pedestrians.

Movements at ports are also often repetitive and predictable, allowing the team to test and track the system accurately.

If this program becomes reality, it could change the way drivers use the road.