City of Charleston puts technology into action for safer Calhoun Street
February 24, 2026
The City of Charleston is moving forward with the implementation of advanced, AI-enabled traffic signal technology along the Calhoun Street corridor, marking a major step toward improving traffic flow and enhancing safety on one of the peninsula’s busiest and highest-crash streets.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program, the City is now putting this technology into action along the Calhoun Street corridor. Residents and visitors will begin seeing changes in traffic patterns and signal timing as new adaptive signal technology and camera-based detection systems are activated.
Mayor William Cogswell was joined at Marion Square by Deputy Assistant Secretary Lee White of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, Councilmember Mike Seekings (District 8), and Dr. Cole of MUSC to highlight the strong federal-local partnership driving the project and the improvements now underway.
Calhoun Street carries nearly 20,000 vehicles per day and serves as a critical east-west connection across the Charleston peninsula, linking neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and major medical facilities, including MUSC and the College of Charleston. Safety data has long identified the corridor as a priority for improvement, with 754 crashes recorded between 2013 and 2018, including 156 injury crashes and two fatalities. During that same period, 40 crashes involved pedestrians or bicyclists, resulting in 36 injuries and one fatality.
“These numbers are not just statistics — they represent lives disrupted and families impacted,” said Mayor William Cogswell. “The status quo is not acceptable. Through our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, we are investing in smart, real-time technology that will improve mobility and make this critical corridor safer for everyone who depends on it.”
The upgraded system replaces traditional fixed-timing signals with adaptive technology that uses real-time data to adjust signal timing based on current traffic conditions, including vehicle volumes, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle activity. Unlike preset systems, these signals respond dynamically to demand, helping reduce congestion, improve travel times, and minimize conflict points.
As the system is calibrated and optimized, drivers may notice signals adjusting more efficiently to changing traffic patterns. Over time, the adaptive technology will continue refining operations as additional data is collected.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Lee White emphasized that Charleston’s project reflects the SMART Grant program’s focus on innovative, data-driven transportation solutions that improve safety and mobility in communities across the country.
By combining federal investment with local leadership and healthcare partnership, Charleston is delivering smarter infrastructure that improves safety, strengthens mobility, and better serves everyone who relies on Calhoun Street each day.
