Google analyzes traffic light scheduling with AI to reduce pollution in cities.
Faithful to its commitments to the environment, Google presents the first results of its Green Light project. By using artificial intelligence, the technology giant is tackling the issue of pollution in cities, particularly that caused by untimely stopping of vehicles at traffic lights.
To do this, the Californian firm analyzes the data collected from users of the Google Maps application. Its objective is to provide personalized suggestions regarding the adjustment of traffic lights.
Synchronize traffic lights with AI
In the United States, in the city of Seattle, each time a driver stops at a red light, they will stay stopped for an average of 20 seconds. These stops and starts are responsible for releasing more than 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide per day into the atmosphere in Seattle alone. Located in the northwest of the United States, this city is part of Google’s experimentation program, along with 11 other cities spread across four continents. This program consists of optimizing certain lights with a view to reducing emissions produced by thermal vehicles in the city.
This climate-friendly project uses artificial intelligence and uses data from Google Maps users. Thus, by optimizing the synchronization of lights at 70 intersections, Google managed to reduce stops at intersections by 30%, for a total reduction of 10% in CO emissions.2.
A functional, low-cost initiative
The idea of implementing smarter traffic lights is not new, but not without economic and logistical limitations. The advantage of the solution that Google is developing is its very low implementation cost. Using data retrieved from Maps, it is possible to infer the impact of intersection synchronization at any given time across thousands of intersections.
With the development of a specific AI model, Google analyzes traffic over a period of several weeks and deduces which traffic lights could be adjusted. Furthermore, the computer system does not only focus on vehicles, it also integrates safety features intended to prevent any modifications that could be dangerous or harm pedestrians.
The announcement of these promising results encourages Google to continue its momentum of projects combining data and artificial intelligence in the environmental context. The company also plans to deploy fuel-saving travel features in India and Indonesia, with a less traveled and less hilly route to reduce consumption.
Source : Wired
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