Some of Winter Park’s biggest roads can cause traffic headaches for drivers. But those drivers should soon notice traffic running more smoothly thanks to a new "smart" traffic system. 

Winter Park traffic manager Butch Margraf says the problem is that many traffic lights are programmed for predictable peak hours.

“So if the traffic gets congested for some reason, something happens on I-4, people come through, it’s still the same," Margraf said. "So traffic can get backed up. It doesn’t adapt.”

The solution is to use smarter technology - technology that can see and think.

“The best way to do it is to get current conditions, adjust timing plans to those current conditions and let it operate," Margraf said.

Cameras will be used to count cars and communicate with the grid to adjust the traffic light cycles.

“It’s much smarter," Margraf said. "More adaptable.”

The changes could be a major time saver for commuters like Coldwell Banker real estate agent Odel Ximinies, who says sitting in traffic can be a real a hit to his bottom line.

“It affects two things: one is showing houses and the other is getting to appointments on time," Ximinies said.

Ximines has learned that he has to leave home a lot earlier if he wants to get to his Park Avenue office on time.

“It should be about 25 minutes in order to get from my home to work, but right now I actually leave an hour in advance," Ximinies said. "I was still about a minute or so late.”

“Once everything is all fixed up, then we’re going to be much better off," Ximinies said.

Winter Park is way ahead of the game when it comes to this kind of smart traffic technology. They are pairing up with the Florida Department of Transportation to test it all out before it goes to other neighboring cities.

Drivers should see those changes first in two of Winter Park’s biggest roads: U.S. 17-92 and Fairbanks Avenue/Aloma Avenue.

In fact, U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-Winter Park) is pushing to fund a statewide intelligent transportation system that could respond across municipalities.

For example, if a traffic situation happens in Winter Park that could affect Orlando or Maitland, then signals will be sent out all over the region to better handle the traffic flow.