Drivers face new traffic lights which will 'prioritise' cyclists and pedestrians

Drivers face new traffic lights which will 'prioritise' cyclists and pedestrians
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


New AI traffic lights prioritise cyclists and pedestrians over cars to "make streets safer". The technology has been installed at a toucan crossing in Solihull, in the West Midlands, which is used by both pedestrians and cyclists - as well as motorists.

The AI-controlled traffic management system aims to give cyclists “uninterrupted journeys”. Its sensors are designed to detect riders up to 30 metres away and trigger the lights to turn red for motorists. By the time the cyclist arrives, the lights for bikes and pedestrians are green, “giving [them] a smoother, uninterrupted journey on their bikes”, according to Solihull Council.

The technology is being tested on the A34 Stratford Road, near Blythe Valley, where a cycle lane crosses a dual carriageway. Mark Nicholson, chief executive of VivaCity, the company that developed the technology, said: “It uses a video camera on board a sensor. AI is able to identify what it sees, but without any personal information, for example, a cyclist 20 metres away, a pedestrian 10 metres away.

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“It means an authority can build algorithms for the junction that say, ‘In this place, I want to prioritise cyclists’ or ‘at 3pm, as school ends, I want to prioritise pedestrians’.” Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, has said the Labour Party government plans to invest “unprecedented levels of funding” in cycling and walking.

Sarah McMonagle, the director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said: “Historically traffic signals have prioritised maximising the flow of cars. As a result, people who walk and cycle can spend a lot of time waiting to cross. The traffic light trial is a clear and positive step in the right direction. We can encourage more people to make shorter journeys by foot or bike.”

Richard Parker, Labour Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Road safety is a top priority for me and I want everyone to feel secure when cycling or walking. This project gives us a chance to see how AI can make our roads safer to give [people] more time to cross safely.

“This is just one part of my plan to make our streets safer and encourage more people to cycle, meaning improved fitness, fewer traffic jams and cleaner air.”