Could AI traffic lights solve Cape Town’s congestion crisis?

The world is embracing AI traffic lights to alleviate traffic congestion – Is Cape Town missing out?

Is it time for the Mother City to embrace smart traffic solutions? Image: Pixabay

As cities worldwide use artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise traffic management, Cape Town continues to grapple with severe congestion, lacking the implementation of such advanced systems.

According to Cape Town etc, the city’s 1,750 intersections are currently managed using a combination of fixed-timing signals and sensor-based systems.

Some traffic lights operate on pre-set intervals, while others adjust based on vehicle presence detected by pressure pads.

Despite these measures, traffic congestion remains a significant challenge.

Recent studies have highlighted Cape Town as one of the world’s most congested cities, with drivers spending an average of 94 hours annually in traffic jams.

Earlier this year, the city was named the most traffic-congested city in South Africa, in the 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard by INRIX, a transportation analytics company.

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO DECREASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Cities globally are adopting AI-driven traffic control systems to enhance traffic flow and reduce emissions.

For instance, Google’s Project Green Light utilises AI and Google Maps data to analyse traffic patterns and optimise signal timings.

This initiative has demonstrated a potential 30% reduction in stops and a 10% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

A Nature report revealed that integrating these systems in China’s most congested cities led to an 11% reduction in peak-hour travel times and an 8% decrease during off-peak hours.

While the initiative carried an estimated annual cost of $1.5 billion (R27 billion), the benefits such as time savings, lower carbon emissions, and enhanced fuel efficiency amounted to $32 billion, significantly outweighing the investment.

Similarly, Hamburg’s implementation of AI-equipped traffic lights has improved traffic flow by 15%, showcasing the effectiveness of machine learning in optimising signal operations.

CAPE TOWN TRAFFIC CONGESTION PLANS

Despite the proven benefits of AI in traffic management, Cape Town has yet to implement such technologies.

City officials have focused on reducing reliance on private vehicles by expanding MyCiTi bus routes, attempting to revitalise the rail network, and promoting walking and cycling alternatives.

Approximately 25% of the city’s traffic lights utilise the Split, Cycle, and Offset Optimisation Technique (SCOOT), which dynamically adjusts green-light durations based on real-time traffic data.

According to The Cape Independent, the city is open to adopting such technology if a suitable solution emerges but has no concrete AI plans yet.

AI-driven systems that learn and adapt over time could substantially improve traffic congestion in Cape Town.