Smart Technologies for Traffic

Smart technologies for traffic are a delicately weaved web of processes that help transportation personnel, drivers and commuters to manage the flow and efficiency of traffic. Intelligent traffic systems are able to adjust the control mechanisms, such as traffic lights as well as freeway onramp meters, and bus rapid transit lanes. They also use advanced IoT hardware and routers, cellular technology and cell networks. They also can forecast changes in traffic demand technologytraffic.com/2020/05/01/modern-traffic-technologies-by-board-room and provide real-time data to road users.

Pittsburgh’s adaptive traffic signal system is a good example. Stephen Smith, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) He installed his first experimental traffic signals in the heavily congested part of East Liberty in the city. Smith saw immediate results. Drivers travelled 25 percent farther and spent 40 percent less time in traffic.

The system works by collecting data from sensors which monitor the traffic flow and adjust their timing in real-time in addition to identifying pedestrians near intersections and giving them the time to safely walk across the street. Sensors send their raw data into a central hub, which is then processed by artificial intelligence. It is then sent back to the intersections through 5G-enabled cell networks.

These systems can provide better and more accurate simulation of scenarios that minimize risks, which human traffic managers cannot achieve. And all of this is in real-time. This is a significant step towards Vision Zero, the goal of safe road-driving where both vehicles and humans are able to travel together without collision.