Smart Technologies for Traffic

Cities are shifting to smart technology for traffic to cut down on energy consumption and improve road safety as urban traffic congestion is becoming a growing issue. Among other things, this will help save time for both drivers and passengers and reduces emissions. It also helps reduce traffic congestion.

The technology behind this is based on two main elements: Hardware and Software. The first is the executing subcomponent, and the latter functions as the command and control center. Both are enhanced by advanced sensing technologies and processing, such as ANPR (automotive plate recognition) which records data regarding traffic demand matrix vehicle movements and can detect road signs.

Depending on the method utilized, data can be processed on the device by smart traffic lights, or sent to cloud. This allows for more advanced analysis and modeling to reduce congestion in traffic and to harmonize schedules of public transport. According to Carnegie Mellon University, this could cut travel time by 25 percent, and wait times for signals are reduced by 40% and emissions are reduced by 20%.

In addition to the reduction of traffic signals’ control delays Smart traffic light system will also improve the flow of pedestrians and micromobility vehicles like e-bikes and e-scooters. This is due to the fact that they are often unable to adhere to traditional traffic signal preemption rules. In London, e-scooter accidents increased by 2,800% over the first half 2021. It is therefore crucial to include them in traffic light control.