New tech could ease LRT-related congestion: Knack

Artificial intelligence built into new high-tech traffic signals could be a solution to Edmonton’s LRT-related congestion issues, argues a west-end councillor.

Ward 1 Coun. Andrew Knack is looking for council support for a new study and series of pilot projects, hoping to learn from cities such as Pittsburgh.

Smart traffic signals there reduced travel time by 25 per cent and idling time by over 40 per cent, according to Rapid Flow Technologies, the company responsible.

The company believes its system — a network of 50 intersections — also reduces vehicles emissions by 21 per cent because it cuts down on idling.

“It’s not because vehicles are moving faster, but they ’re stopping less,” said Steve Smith, Carnegie Mellon University professor of robotics and Rapid Flow CEO.

Pittsburgh has funding to do 150 more intersections, and Smith said his company is planning pilot projects in four or five other American cities this year.

A small computer is installed at each intersection.

The computer uses a camera or radar sensors to identify all the vehicles and pedestrians at the intersection.

It calculates the best way to set the red and green lights to minimize wait times for everyone. Then it lets the next intersection computer know what’s coming.

“It operates in a totally decentralized way,” said Smith.

The intersections recalculate every few seconds, and Pittsburg is also looking at equipping its buses with radio frequencies to get special priority.

Each intersection costs $20,000 to $50,000, depending upon what cameras or communications technology is already in place.

Knack wants Edmonton to try the smart traffic signals, possibly along 107 Avenue, which is expected to get more congested when the west LRT is built.

Perhaps this is an alternative to grade separation between roads and LRT tracks, he said.

Rather than spending roughly $200 million to improve one intersection, embracing this technology might improve traffic flow across the city.

Council gets the chance to vote on Knack’s motion at the next council meeting Feb. 27.