Artificial Intelligence May Make Traffic Congestion a Thing of the Past

Humans aren't going away anytime soon, of course, so neither are traffic lights. But researchers are taking steps toward a future where smart traffic lights and internet-connected cars can make getting around town smoother for both drivers and pedestrians--as well as provide other benefits, such as giving priority to public transit or emergency vehicles and reducing auto emissions. For AI to do its potential magic, the first thing that's needed is data. So several startups are connecting hundreds of sensors at traffic lights to understand why congestion is happening and learn how to manage it in real time. For instance, Rapid Flow Technologies, which began as a Carnegie Mellon University research project, is testing its Surtrac traffic-management system in the East Liberty neighborhood in Pittsburgh.