US Patent 7970530 Relieving urban traffic congestion

A system for reducing congestion on a roadway is provided. Selected lengths of selected normal lanes of a roadway are divided into two commuter lanes, distinctive lane markings identify the commuter lanes, and selected lengths of selected lanes are dynamically designated as either normal lanes or pairs of commuter lanes. In order to dynamically change lane configurations, a set of indicators can be provided as lane markers together with a control system to alter particular lane configurations between normal lanes and commuting lanes both cyclically according to a preprogrammed schedule and dynamically in response to sensed vehicle traffic volume, unusual events such as accidents, weather, and so on.