Safe traffic control is assured by adding ___________ to electromechanical controllers.

Adding a conflict monitor to electromechanical controllers is essential for ensuring safe traffic control. A conflict monitor serves as a safety mechanism that detects potential conflicting movements within an intersection, such as when two vehicles may attempt to occupy the same space due to conflicting signal indications. This detection is crucial in preventing accidents and ensuring that the signals are operating correctly.

By monitoring the signals and the phases in which they operate, the conflict monitor can intervene if there is a potential issue, such as a red light violation or a misconfiguration of the signal phases. This helps maintain the safety of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as it safeguards against unexpected changes in signal status that could lead to hazardous driving conditions.

In contrast, while signal timers ensure that the signals switch appropriately according to a pre-set schedule, and maintenance alerts help identify when the system requires attention, these mechanisms do not directly prevent conflicts during operation. Emergency override systems can be important for handling situations where immediate response is needed, but they do not continuously monitor for conflicts like conflict monitors do. This understanding highlights the unique and critical role of conflict monitors in promoting safe traffic control.