Innovate AI 'Green Man' Crossings: Big Step for Smart Cities

Innovative AI systems created by Now Wireless are set to be implemented across the UK in a bid to make road crossings smarter and easier to use. Housing Industry Leaders looks at what these systems do and why they are important.

Systems use innovative AI and machine learning to predict whether people are heading for a junction by identifying the travel patterns of road crossers from up to 15 meters away. Machine learning will then identify the likelihood that someone is going to cross.

This technology can detect pedestrian numbers and their patterns of behaviour at busy crossings. AI will be able to assist traffic managers as smarter traffic junctions are going to be created. The end goal is to create a seamless traffic congestion system.

Motorists and pedestrians benefit equally

Both motorists and pedestrians are set to benefit from the new technology.

For pedestrians, they will no longer have a long wait after pressing a button at a crossing. Instead, through wide-angle cameras and machine learning, the sensors will be able to prioritise traffic flows.

Up to 40 councils are going to be offered this system, with a cost of £2,500 per crossing.

Now Wireless made a statement explaining: “Smart Junctions ultimately lead to better traffic flow and reduced congestion as cars are no longer asked to sit idling when waiting for ghost pedestrians to cross the road. Consequently, our ‘automatic crossing’ is better for the environment because it keeps traffic flow moving rather than asking vehicles to stop-start unnecessarily.”

CCTV imaging informs the AI, which in turn, changes the lights when sufficient numbers of pedestrians are waiting.

“We can assist traffic managers program their traffic lights to change accordingly to pre-set requirements. A number of parameters can be put in place to best meet specific requirements for individual crossings” said Now Wireless.

The technology can help in a number of ways. In the late evening, pedestrians can be prioritised in areas that are known for higher crime rates. Additionally, commuters in their cars can be prioritised to ease congestion in urban hotspots during peak times.

As economies build back, information about pedestrian numbers, and making sure that crossing points operate efficiently will be particularly important for urban areas

Brian Jackson, Managing Director at Now Wireless, told Quadrant Group: “As economies build back, information about pedestrian numbers, and making sure that crossing points operate efficiently will be particularly important for urban areas.”