OUR STREETS AND AI – COMING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE SAFETY
By Ania Karzek, Manager Strategy & Governance, City of Holdfast Bay
Did you know that the South Australian Government is embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance road safety and traffic efficiency through the deployment of AI-powered traffic cameras?
A collaborative initiative between the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and SAFEgroup Automation (SGA) has seen a pilot of these advanced systems at key intersections, marking a significant advancement in traffic management.
The software is an intelligent solution to improving road safety and traffic flow during peak periods. The cameras are linked to the DIT’s Traffic Management Centre (TMC), allowing staff to monitor vehicle movements and automatically adjust traffic signals to reduce congestion.
Not only are the cameras supporting the ‘human’ side of Traffic Management at TMC by allowing them to better understand vehicle movement, but they also have the ability to identify pedestrians and cyclists.
At the moment, the AI technology isn’t using facial recognition, so it is only converting the images it analyses into key data, without identifiable information.
A notable implementation is at the Heaslip Road exit ramp from the Northern Expressway. This area previously experienced significant congestion and safety concerns due to traffic backing up onto the expressway. The AI system detects vehicle build-up and communicates with traffic control platforms, enabling dynamic signal adjustments that alleviate congestion and enhance safety. Since their installation, traffic build-up, which can cost more than $33,000 for every 5,000 motorists waiting 20 minutes, and rear-end collisions have significantly reduced.
