While talks continue to revolve around ambitious Smart City projects, that revolutionize smart citizen experiences through automated AI driven solutions, there’s an equally appalling spike at the other side of the lane. While 1.3 million die of accident crashes every year, including fatalities resulting from illegal parking, tailgating collapses and over-speeding, more than a half of road traffic deaths are being attributed to vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists. Coming to specifics, the numbers raise more concerns while learning that more than 90% of the world’s road fatalities happen in low to middle income countries. Even countries like India, where the concept of Smart Cities has become all pervading, have recorded an upsetting increase in the number of road accident deaths in 2018, as per reports by WRS (World Road Statistics) 2018.

At one point, it was more or less customary to assume that road accidents and related fatalities can’t be avoided. In 1997 however, Sweden took on itself the most challenging objective of halving road accidents by 2020 and even further, achieving zero road fatalities by 2050. Inspired by this bold move, the rest of the world embraced Vision Zero – a systemic approach to traffic safety that could reduce road fatalities to nil. Ever since, Vision Zero has enabled a paradigm shift in the perception of managing traffic accidents. Several countries, starting with Sweden, have embarked on the Vision Zero approach by optimizing their traffic control through systemic methods and data driven decisions. With more than satisfactory results showing up right from the initial phases of implementation, cities like London are also extending the Zero Vision to include other aspects critical to Smart City experiences like Zero Carbon and Zero Harm to life and property of road travellers. Zero Vision has already proven to be a model to ensure safe streets by identifying vulnerability spots and urging road users to foster a culture of mutual respect while using roads. The focus also falls on facilitating strict enforcement by monitoring pedestrian behaviour to prevent occurrences of anti-lawful and anti-social acts.

The success of Vision Zero relies on data-driven decisions and here’s where information plays a key role. Having an efficient information system in place can ensure smooth traffic flow while capturing the actionable data for further use. Countries who have made significant progress in achieving the objectives of Vision Zero have equipped their Traffic Management System with ANPR-based Video Analytics Solutions. Having such an automated intelligent solution can help authorities address a wide range of issues. Right from performing the basic function of recognizing and capturing the number/license plate of vehicles; ANPR-based solutions will be instrumental in detecting incidents like crashes, hit and runs and other untoward incidents and providing the authorities with real-time data for investigation and further action.

Having Intelligent Traffic Management Video Analytics Systems at toll booths can be both time-saving and life-saving. While long waits and ensuing congestions can be easily avoided at toll booths; these technologies can also be used to detect instances of delays and warn motorists beforehand. Several toll booths also use such intelligent traffic management systems to identify and forewarn the motorists of instances of over speeding. Apart from traffic management, enforcement and road tolling, these systems are a must for automated access control and to keep a check on red light violations, lane violations and wrong-way movements.

While having ANPR-based IT systems can revolutionize the way a Smart City manages its traffic on roads; it also has to be borne in mind that a city is only just as smart as its traffic management solution. While several discussions revolve around the ‘smart citizen experience’ it is vital to have accurate recognition of number plates since action shouldn’t be enforced on the wrong motorist or pedestrian. Likewise accurate reading is vital while managing traffic at toll gates since several number plates are likely to be obscured, dusty or tarnished. Also, accuracy matters most in instances when ANPR data is used for actionable information, like probing into untoward incidents, detecting vehicle thefts, hit and runs, etc. Accurate Traffic Management Systems can help curb such incidents especially in countries like India which witnesses a high number of road fatalities and incidents of vehicle thefts.

When Smart Cities aim at improving the lives of its citizens through creating technologically superior experiences, having an automated, intelligent solution in place proves to be indispensable to keep the appalling traffic management problem at bay.

Companies like AllGoVision have already leveraged on AI and Deep Learning based Traffic Management System to ensure the safety on roads. With several implementations operating successfully in India – APAC, Middle East, America and North Africa regions, AllGoVision’s solution suite can enhance the experience of smart citizens through intelligent and cost-effective traffic management systems.

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