How can visual AI reduce heavy traffic?

Shivam Ramphal
6 min readNov 16, 2022

Traffic. It’s the bane of our existence. We’ve all been there, stuck in gridlock, swearing we’ll never leave the house again. But what if I told you there was a way to avoid all that traffic entirely? A way to make your commute a breeze? Read on to find out how Visual Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the game when it comes to traffic.

The transportation industry has undergone several changes and revolutions over the last 100 years. We are currently at a stage where breakthroughs are being made in the form of artificial intelligence in transportation.

Whether driving self-driving cars for greater reliability, monitoring road conditions for greater safety or analyzing traffic flow for greater efficiency, AI is gaining the attention of transportation around the world.

What is Visual AI?

Visual AI is a branch of AI that uses computer vision to interpret and understand digital images. In other words, it’s a way for machines to “see” and make sense of the world around them. And when it comes to traffic, Visual AI can be used in several ways to help reduce congestion.

How does Visual AI work?

One-way Visual AI is being used to reduce traffic by monitoring road conditions in real-time. Cameras equipped with Visual AI technology can detect hazards such as potholes, debris, and even accidents. This information can then be relayed to drivers in real-time, so they can avoid those areas and get to their destination more quickly and safely.

In addition, Visual AI can also be used to check traffic flow and find bottlenecks. By understanding how traffic typically flows through an area, Visual AI can perfect routes and help drivers avoid areas that are prone to congestion. As a result, everyone gets where they’re going more quickly and efficiently. But that’s not all! Visual AI can also be used for things like license plate recognition, which can help law enforcement find cars that are wanted or have been involved in crimes. This information can then be used to apprehend suspects and clear up cases more quickly.

Traffic signal control system

Traffic lights are a necessary part of any city’s transportation infrastructure. In recent years we have seen changes made from having human controllers who used timers alongside other tools up until now all this information has been handled digitally using computer algorithms which means faster processing speeds allowing them to make better decisions about what should happen next.

AI For Traffic Management

AI is used for traffic management and law enforcement. ITS supplies tools to automatically convict offenders according to national law using supporting evidence in the form of snapshots and videos. AI is also used for speed detection, alerting users when multiple people are riding bicycles or motorcycles without helmets. This allows him to prevent accidents in these two vehicles and other motorized vehicles. The system can also be integrated with CCTV and traffic control systems, supplying a comprehensive solution to combat today’s traffic threats.

What is ITS?

ITS, or Intelligent Transportation Systems, is a collection of electronic technologies used to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation. ITS uses sensors and computers to process and share data about traffic conditions, weather, and other factors that can affect travel. This information can be used to plan and manage transportation systems, as well as to supply real-time advisories to drivers.

How does ITS Work?

ITS technologies can be divided into four main categories: communications, sensing and detection, control, and simulation and analysis. Communications technologies include short-range devices like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as cellular networks and satellite-based systems. These technologies are used to send data between vehicles and infrastructure, as well as between vehicles and devices carried by individuals.

Areas of Innovation

The future of transportation is smarter and more advanced with deep learning technology. For example, in Glasgow, they have created a “smart city” by using machine learning to check vehicle dwell times as well as traffic density trends so that it can adjust accordingly for any issues on the streets during your commute time. All you’ll see when driving around town are LED lights displaying information about how long ago someone parked their car or whether there has been excessive speeding recently.

  1. Analysis by lane-to-lane movements
  • The system can accurately analyze traffic in different lanes to ease traffic movement. Drivers can use data to significantly reduce commute times. Drivers and road authorities can make better decisions to avoid traffic jams.
  1. Real-time updates to keep drivers one step ahead
  • From traffic accidents to traffic jams, all valuable information about road conditions keeps drivers and road authorities one step ahead.
  1. Wide-range assessment and redirection routes
  • AI-powered systems have the potential to analyze traffic across multiple regions. You can map the most efficient routes and change traffic lights to improve traffic conditions.
  1. Minimize fuel
  • AI and machine learning algorithms name the least efficient vehicle, track its path and speed, and change traffic lights in front of the vehicle. This greatly eliminates inefficient starts and stops at intersections and minimizes fuel consumption.

The Benefits of Visual AI in Traffic

Many processes in road traffic can be significantly improved. Drivers who must wait several minutes at a traffic light for no plain reason can count on this, except that the traffic light system uses a fixed pattern that is completely independent of the current traffic situation. There are many benefits to using artificial intelligence to keep traffic moving accordingly.

  1. Flowing traffic; free traffic flow protects the environment. And it is another related environmental aspect as it requires less hardware usage than further development of software.
  2. It enables the optimization of many business processes such as deliveries that bring great benefits to the economy.
  3. Human error, the most common cause of accidents, can be largely eliminated with comprehensive traffic management. Cutting the human factor can significantly reduce the number of accidents. It also offers attractive opportunities in the transportation sector.
  4. The term truck platooning describes the concept of electronically networking multiple trucks in platoons on highways. Here the human driver sits only in the lead car. AI controls all later tracks.

So, there you have it! These are just some of the ways that Visual AI is helping to reduce heavy traffic. By monitoring road conditions and traffic flow, perfecting routes, and finding wanted vehicles, Visual AI is making our roads safer and our commutes easier. So next time you’re stuck in a jam, remember that there’s a bright future ahead thanks to Visual AI. Of course, we’re just on an exciting frontier. It’s still going on. As technology continues to improve, more smart cities will emerge around the world, increasing global operational efficiency, increasing sustainability, and making roads, highways, and intersections safer and more accessible for all. Hope it will be good.

Original Post: https://meetmaya.ai/how-can-visual-ai-reduce-heavy-traffic/

If you would like to read more articles or see Maya AI in action, please visit https://meetmaya.ai

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Shivam Ramphal
Shivam Ramphal

Written by Shivam Ramphal

🧑🏼‍💻 Co-Founder at Maya AI | 🌎 A personalize AI designed to enhance team performance and improve customer experience. 🤖 Learn More: https://mayaknows.com/

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