The green wave is an idea in traffic flow such that if you exactly follow the speed limit between two or more traffic lights, you will pass through them on green. Going too fast will ensure that you have to stop at each and every traffic light for about 5 seconds.

Idealy, if an entire area is done with the green wave, the only time someone will have to stop is when making a turn (thus changing the traffic pulse) or driving unsafe (too fast or too slow).