Almost 9,000 run red lights have been detected at a single traffic intersection by an artificial intelligence-powered (AI-powered) traffic monitoring system in the Latvian capital of Riga.

Developed by mobile technology innovation company LMT, the solution collects data via a plug-and-play traffic light camera, which uses computer vision technology to determine if a car has run a red light.

The solution saves the car’s number plate in the system for violations processing, which can be further managed by law enforcement institutions.

Identifying driver behaviour

A prototype of the system developed by Latvia-based LMT was installed at the intersection and, over the course of 2021, gathered data on cars that ran red lights and caused a high accident risk. Another prototype of LMT’s solution was set up in the Latvian city of Liepaja at an intersection that was notorious for experiencing a higher level of traffic incidents.

The use of the prototype was able to identify driver behaviour, which the municipality is now able to address through other means, such as improved signage and speed bumps.

Violations at junctions and intersections, including non-compliance with a red light signal, are among the most common causes of traffic accidents in Europe.

“Implementing AI-powered technology solutions into the traffic monitoring system is a step that could significantly improve traffic safety and the European road traffic culture in the near future”

Even though fatalities on European roads have more than halved since 2000, according to the European Transport Safety Council, the number of severe injuries and deaths caused by traffic accidents remains higher than the EU’s target.

“Thousands of drivers in Europe run a red light every day, risking both their and other traffic participants’ safety,” said president of LMT, Juris Binde.

“However, only a small part of these violations are detected and addressed, permitting drivers to continue disobeying traffic rules. Thus, implementing AI-powered technology solutions into the traffic monitoring system is a step that could significantly improve traffic safety and the European road traffic culture in the near future.”

Smart traffic analytics and AI-powered traffic monitoring are potentially a powerful tool in the European Union’s drive towards Vision Zero (no fatalities or severe injuries on European roads by 2050). In addition, systems like LMT’s alleviate pressure on law enforcement’s resources, as well as identify larger amounts of traffic violations and so further discourage reckless driving.

LMT is able to provide testing of the AI traffic monitoring solution for potential clients in other countries. It claims that installing the solution is construction-free, and can be set up in less than a day on every traffic light pole with access to electricity and 4G or 5G network coverage.