A few nights ago, I was passing through downtown Northampton. There was not another car in sight, but I had to stop and wait for the light to change at two traffic lights. The same thing happened early one Sunday morning as I was going out for a newspaper. I’m fairly certain there was no need to stop at a traffic light at 6:30 am.
If we’re seriously trying to reduce carbon emissions, maybe the city could do its share by reducing the amount of time that vehicles have to idle needlessly at traffic lights. There are many intersections around the city where traffic lights could be adjusted to minimize idling time (and exhaust pollution) during low-traffic times.
Rich Winnick
Northampton