Councillor pitches artificial intelligence to reduce LRT congestion

Artificial intelligence built into new high-tech traffic signals could be a solution to Edmonton's LRT-related congestion issues, argues a west-end councillor. Andrew Knack is looking for council support for a new study and series of pilot projects, hoping to learn from cities such as Pittsburgh. Smart traffic signals there reduced travel time by 25 per cent and idling time by over 40 per cent, according to Rapid Flow Technologies, the company responsible. The company believes its system -- a network of 50 intersections -- also reduces vehicles emissions by 21 per cent because it cuts down on idling. "It's not because vehicles are moving faster, but they're stopping less," said Steve Smith, Carnegie Mellon University professor of robotics and Rapid Flow CEO.