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The Federal Highway Administration recently gave the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) permission to add flashing pavement lights at more intersections along the 7.5-mile Main Street light-rail line.

Launched in 2006, METRO's experimental lighted pavement marking system is designed to raise drivers' awareness of train-crossing intersections and reduce accidents caused by motorists who run red lights. The flashing markers light up when the traffic signal turns red.  

METRO maintains and operates 70 traffic signals along the rail line. To date, illuminated pavement markers have been installed at 20 intersections. Four more are slated to be outfitted later this year.

The pavement markets have reduced the number of accidents caused by drivers running red lights by as much as 50 percent at some intersections, according to METRO.