The road traffic control system is a core method of regulating traffic flow to alleviate congestion, enhance operational efficiency, and promote energy saving and emission reduction. It has evolved from manual control to intelligent control driven by fixed detector data and connected vehicle data. This paper summarizes and analyzes the key technical characteristics of road traffic control, systematically reviews the development of four generations of road traffic control systems in China and abroad. Considering China’s national conditions and practical needs, this paper analyzes the development needs and challenges of China’s road traffic control system from three aspects: strategy of a strong transportation country, independent innovation of traffic control, and development of traffic control technology. It puts forward three development suggestions, namely, independent innovation of key system technologies, breakthroughs of interactive technologies of vehicle intelligence and travel service informatization, and promotion of standardization and normalization of system R&D and application. These help build traffic control systems with independent intellectual property rights, promote the self-reliance of intelligent transportation and its related industries, and support the construction of a strong transportation country.