The RTC’s Freeway & Arterial System of Transportation (FAST) department has been testing an exciting pilot program to see if artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve transportation safety. By analyzing data from eight busy intersections, we aimed to understand traffic patterns and trends and identify potential safety hazards.

During the six-month pilot program, the technology collected traffic data, including the number of vehicles and pedestrians passing through intersections. It also detected safety issues like speeding, red-light running, vehicles traveling outside their lane, near-miss incidents, and pedestrians crossing against traffic signals or outside of marked crosswalks.

At just one intersection over a seven-day period, there were a startling 1,411 red-light running incidents, 257 pedestrian crossings outside marked crosswalks, 512 lane violations, and even one near miss between a car and a person.

The results from this pilot program show that AI technology can effectively monitor and analyze traffic data to provide insights for traffic engineers. Using existing traffic signal cameras, we can easily implement this technology at other intersections throughout the valley. This approach provides valuable insights into traffic trends and safety issues.

These insights will play a crucial role in shaping future traffic safety, operational, and capacity improvements. They will inform educational campaigns, guide engineering solutions, and help target enforcement efforts to reduce accidents and improve overall safety for both drivers and pedestrians. The success of this pilot program marks a significant step toward smarter, safer intersections in our community.

Hear from FAST Engineering Program Supervisor Christina K. on how this technology is advancing our efforts toward safer intersections in the video below.