AI is more present in our daily lives than we think. The latest novelty is the intelligent traffic lights in Vienna. These are activated when they detect the presence of a person.
It makes no sense disrupt fluid traffic on a street because there is a traffic light at a crosswalk that no one passes through. This situation makes thousands of drivers desperate every day, including Horst Possegger, head of the team of researchers at the University of Technology in Graz, who developed the idea.
Smart traffic lights ” are equipped with a camera that locates oncoming pedestrians. The camera differentiates if there are ten people waiting or 3 approaching, and depending on that the traffic light changes or waits for a while,” explains Horst.
The system has been driven by selflearning
Artificial Intelligence is what has made this technological advance capable, which has positioned Vienna as the first city to install such a method. **This system has been based on the science of “self-learning”, very present in AI technology.
Despite great progress, there is still room for improvement. “Over time it becomes more accurate. At first we placed it at the crossroads and, after observing for half a day the people crossing the street, the system interprets the patterns that correspond to the people who want to cross, ” the creators say.
Currently, there are 3 smart traffic lights in operation inside the city. Thanks to the team’s efforts, it is estimated that there will be a total of 200 by 2020. The installation process is not as fast as expected, and each unit costs about 15,000 euros.
Despite the high cost, this system is very beneficial for road traffic. Well, in addition to favoring the flow of traffic in the present, * * these smart traffic lights collect data on the activity of the crossings. **Through this information you can develop more productive schedules in other road facilities.
The company’s plan is taking these smart traffic lights to other cities, many have already shown interest in the initiative. However, it is still unknown what they are.
If you are interested in Artificial Intelligence do not miss how Aura, the AI of Movistar Home works.
