A delicately woven together network of processes, smart technology for traffic aid transport personnel as well as commuters and drivers to improve efficiency and flow of traffic. Utilizing the latest IoT sensors, hardware routers, sensors and cellular technology intelligent traffic systems automatically adjust control mechanisms such as traffic lights, freeway on-ramp meters bus rapid transit lanes, highway message boards, and even speed limits. They can also predict changes in traffic demand, and provide real-time information for road users.

Pittsburgh’s adaptive traffic signal system is a good example. Stephen Smith, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) constructed his first traffic signals in the heavily congested area of https://technologytraffic.com/2022/07/25/start-using-a-virtual-data-room-today-to-save-time-money East Liberty in the city. Smith saw immediate results. Drivers were able to travel 25 percent further and spent 40 percent less time idling.

The system works by collecting information from sensors that are monitoring incoming traffic and adjusting their timings on the fly and also detecting pedestrians at intersections, and giving them time to cross the street. Sensors send their raw data into the central hub, which is then processed by artificial intelligence. It is then sent back to the intersections using 5G-enabled cell networks.

These advanced systems permit better and more accurate modeling of scenarios that minimize risks, which human traffic managers cannot do. And all of this is in real-time. This is a significant step towards Vision Zero, the goal of safe road-driving where humans and vehicles are able to share the road without colliding.