Beating traffic jams with intelligent video technology Traffic congestion in cities is a universal problem. Hikvision shows how the latest-generation video technology is helping authorities keep roads flowing and drivers accountable so we can all get from A to B quicker. Globally, urban road networks are already saturated. This causes long delays for drivers, increasing frustration and reducing productivity. It also creates public health risks due to poor air quality. Together, the effects of excessive traffic negatively impact city dwellers’ quality of life and the sustainability of their cities. According to one study from INRIX, a leading provider of transport insights, Los Angeles commuters spent over 100 hours a year in traffic jams in 2017 – more than any other city in the world. Additionally, London traffic jams cost drivers the equivalent of £2,430 (USD$3,135) each, equal to more than £9.5 billion (USD$12.3 billion) across the city as a whole.
A major headache for city authorities Needless to say, traffic becomes a headache for city administrators, particularly in cities where the construction of modern roads is not keeping pace with increased vehicle ownership. To find long-term solutions, city authorities are looking into the root causes of traffic congestion. In Hong Kong, the city’s Transport Advisory Committee published a report identifying the top-three causes of excessive traffic: (i) too many vehicles on roads; (ii) illegal parking; and (iii) too much road works – factors that all contribute to traffic jams in cities worldwide. How technology can help In many cities, building new road capacity is not an option – either because of available space, disruption
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to economic activities, or budgetary constraints. In these circumstances, city authorities are beginning to look to smart technologies to make people’s journeys faster and safer. In the portfolio of available traffic easing technologies, latest-generation video technology is the star. In particular, innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning have transformed standard video monitoring with features that alert operators about traffic issues in real time. This allows them to take immediate action to keep lanes clear and to keep traffic flowing. Next generation video solutions are already helping city authorities to reduce congestion and deliver major time savings for drivers. Three examples are: Traffic guidance This kind of solution uses smart cameras installed at intersections to monitor and report on real-time traffic flow. It works by constantly observing the flow
of traffic lanes, and by counting vehicles within defined areas of the road. Data is then sent to traffic management control centres where operators can see the build-up of traffic across the city. Critically, this citywide view of traffic allows operators to take action in real time to reduce the root causes of congestion, such as misuse of bus/transit lanes or illegal parking. In the event of a traffic incident, traffic guidance solutions are also great news for drivers. Congestion information is displayed for them at each intersection, helping them predict their arrival time and – if delays are serious or persistent – to choose alternative routes or travel options. While video is a critical element of the solution, full integration with thirdparty systems and algorithms is also needed. In this way, traffic data can be visualised on city maps and transmitted effectively to the control centre, drivers, emergency services, and others.
April/May 2019
