
Discussing overview of traffic lights, tracing their historical evolution from rudimentary gas-powered systems to today's advanced AI-driven technologies. It highlights key inventors like John Peake Knight, Lester Wire, William Potts, and Garrett Augustus Morgan, emphasizing their contributions to modern traffic control. The source further explains the life-saving impact of traffic signals through accident prevention, specific collision type reduction, and emergency response enhancement. Additionally, it discusses how these systems manage vehicle flow, reduce congestion, and support multi-modal transportation. Finally, the text explores future innovations like the proposed "white light" for autonomous vehicles and the integration of AI and V2X communication, while also acknowledging implementation challenges and presenting alternatives like roundabouts.