New Solution for Traffic Jams: Artificial Intelligence Optimizes Traffic Lights

The Herzliya Municipality and the Netivei Israel company are presenting an advanced technological solution for urban traffic congestion: an innovative system for smart traffic light management based on artificial intelligence (AI). The pilot project operated at the Kfar Shmaryahu intersection was declared a success, and the municipality is now announcing the expansion of the project to three additional central intersections throughout the city.

The technology, developed by the ITC company as part of a municipal call for proposals, is based on software that connects to the cameras and controllers existing at the intersection, without the need for complex infrastructure work. The system identifies vehicles, buses, and pedestrians within a range of up to 700 meters with high precision, and calculates congestion and waiting times in real time.

While in the past the traffic light at the intersection operated based on a number of pre-set programs according to the time of day, the smart algorithm now manages ten different programs in real time and adjusts the green light to actual demand. In the next stage, new programs will be added that will be created according to the identification of recurring congestion situations in the field.

Data collected by Netivei Israel from dozens of intersections across the country where the technology was implemented show impressive results:

1. Improvement of over 20% in traffic flow

2. Decrease of up to 30% in bus delays

3. Reduction of approximately 25% in waiting time at the traffic light

Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher and his deputy Eyal Fabian noted that this is a significant step in the smart city vision. According to them, making the technology accessible to existing infrastructure will ease traffic jams, shorten travel times, reduce pollutant emissions, and increase pedestrian safety.