Having to drive around this College Station traffic light almost daily has made me realized how much I despise it. I will always catch it green while I am at the top of the hill/exit ramp and whenever I finally get to the light it is red once again and I’m stuck waiting forever. However, it did made me think of the progression of traffic management over time. I’m sure we’ve all heard the theory that if you flash your lights at an empty intersection, the light person in the box will turn the light green for you! Yeah that’s a myth. Traffic management has changed from manual management of traffic by police officers (we still see some crossing guards ex. Five Points around 3pm) to the use of advanced technology such as AI. With cities growing in the United States, we’re bound to see further advancement in traffic management.
The history of the traffic light
December 10, 1968 is the official birth date of the traffic light. Parliament Square in London had a gas-lit signal installed and was used to the control the traffic of horse carriages in the area, and to allow pedestrians cross. These gas-lit signals were manually lit by police officers. Short lived traffic signal as it would blow up a few months later and kill the police officer working.
The world would wait over 46 years until the first appearance of a dual-colored traffic signal using electricity appeared on the streets of Cleveland in 1914. 6 years later, the cities of Detroit and New York would add the yellow between red and green. Thus resulting in the traffic light we see today with some improvements along the way!
AI in Traffic Management
With or without traffic signals, traffic congestion exists everywhere all around the world. In the US, drivers spend up to 58% more time stuck in traffic compared to other cities across the globe. On average, US drivers waste 97 hours stuck in traffic each year. AI is set to play a significant role in transforming urban transportation by reducing traffic congestion and improving travel times. This has the added benefit of reducing emissions as drivers spend less time idling in traffic.
By analyzing real-time data collected from vehicles such as cars, buses, and trains, artificial intelligence can identify potential safety challenges and help mitigate risks. This is done by analyzing patterns in the data that may indicate safety issues. Additionally, by utilizing coordinated traffic light information, urban planners can suggest ways to reduce the number of accidents and improve overall safety in the transportation system.
The benefits of using AI in Traffic Management
Passage for emergency vehicles, improved urban planning, and intelligent parking planning are some of the benefits and challenges solved by AI. The passage of emergency vehicles through congested is important when time is the most important factor. AI can be used to give priority to emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. Using real-time data on traffic conditions and the current location of the emergency vehicles, traffic signals are adjusted to provide clear paths for emergency vehicles to allow them to reach their destination quickly and safely. With urban planning, AI provides data on the historical traffic congestion along the routes within the area. In addition to this, AI developers are able to build models and use predictive analytics to understand how people move around the city. The improvement of parking infrastructure efficiency is always important especially for commuters. Algorithms can analyze data from sensors installed in parking lots and parking spaces to provide information on availability. This reduces time spent circling the block for drivers in search of a spot. AI can also be used to predict parking demand for the time frame and suggest the best available spots for drivers before they arrive. This introduces the idea of smart parking pricing where parking fees based on real-time demand and incentivizes drivers to park somewhere else. Sorry but I’m not sure if AI can help the parking situation here in Athens.
NoTraffic
NoTraffic is the world’s leading mobility platform. They have developed the first AI-powered traffic signal platform that connects road users to the city grid in order to solve the traffic challenges of today. The problem, as described by NoTraffic, is that there are over 90 million new vehicles introduced to roads every year, a 12% annual increase in traffic congestion, and 40% of car accidents occur at intersections. 99% of signalized intersections still run on fixed timing plans (This is why I despise that College Station traffic light).
The company has had some trial runs in cities with one being in Phoenix, Arizona (5th largest city in the US), however I have been unable to find any recent news of the program since it started up in 2020. In previous deployments, NoTraffic reported up to 40% reduction in vehicle delay time.
Conclusion
While traffic congestion continues to be a challenge in cities worldwide, the integration of AI in traffic management is set to revolutionize transportation systems, if the investment is there. From improving travel times and reducing emissions to enhancing safety and prioritizing emergency vehicles, AI has already demonstrated its potential to addressing urban mobility challenges. I’ll be happiest person ever the day I return to Athens and sit at the College Station light for less than 90 seconds.
https://www.clickworker.com/customer-blog/artificial-intelligence-road-traffic/