Traffic management organizations are looking to the latest digital technologies to help overcome growing congestion and emissions challenges. So, what role do technologies such as AIoT play? Why are multi-function cameras the order of the day? And why are open standards and platforms needed to accelerate deployment? Valuable insights on these questions came up in the survey, and are summarized here.
Increasing urbanization, economic activity, and car ownership is increasing the burden on urban traffic systems and creating major air pollution issues across the world. As a result, city traffic and highways management organizations are under huge pressure to improve their traffic management capabilities, and to overcome their congestion and emissions challenges.
To achieve these goals, many are turning to innovative digital technologies, including AIoT smart cameras, which can provide a clear view of real-time traffic conditions, and to accurately predict future trends.
Tech insights from industry insiders
To discover more about the latest trends in digitalized traffic management, ITS International Magazine and Hikvision surveyed 150 professionals working in related fields. Respondents gave their views on the key challenges currently facing traffic management organizations, the drivers for new technology deployments – including deployment of AIoT smart cameras – and how the latest digital technologies are being used to help manage traffic in new and more efficient ways.
The results of the survey reveal 6 key insights.
1) The growing role of AIoT in traffic management
When it comes to improving traffic flow management and gaining a clear view of real-time traffic conditions, 85% of survey respondents said AI has key role to play.
AI was also seen as a key technology for road and driver safety, based on its ability to detect fallen objects in roadways, illegal lane changing, smoke in tunnels, and other dangers on the road.
In addition to these use cases, AI was seen as an important tool for identifying and avoiding traffic congestion, and for detecting and penalizing traffic violations.
But there are also some significant roadblocks to the deployment of AI and AIoT devices according to the survey respondents. These include a lack of standards for AI technology and data (62%), system integration complexity, lack of AI strategy, and a lack of funding (54%, 53%, and 51% respectively).
2) A strong demand for innovative roadside cameras
Survey respondents expressed strong support for roadside multi-function cameras that perform more than one function in a single device/chassis. This requires onboard AI algorithms that can alert authorities in the event of specific types of incidents, such as vehicle speeding, violation detection, queue length, and many others.
As well as expressing the need for these kinds of multi-functional AIoT devices, the survey respondents said they had to offer ultra-high reliability, openness for easy integration with a range of traffic management systems, and excellent price and performance.
3) The value of digitalized traffic management
When it comes to the benefits expected from digitalized traffic management systems, and AIoT devices, the ability to gain more and better data was important to the majority of survey respondents (51% and 67% respectively). Improved traffic management efficiency was also seen as a major advantage of digitalized traffic management by 66% of respondents, showing the promise of AI for reducing manual traffic management processes and related costs.
However, a large number of additional benefits were seen as important and achievable with digitalized traffic management. Those cited by more than 50% of respondents include congestion reduction, accurate prediction of future traffic trends, and improved traffic planning. Faith in digitalized solutions for reducing traffic accidents was also significant (49%).
4) Systems and data integration challenges
A large number of the survey respondents consider that bringing together multiple systems and data sources for digital traffic management is a major challenge. The greatest single obstacle was seen as technical complexity, specifically related to the integration of different traffic systems, such as speed and vehicle detection systems, traffic light systems, and others (67%). A lack of common standards is also seen as an issue (62%), and the lack of a powerful, open and centralized management platform for hardware and software came a close third (57%).
With system integrators typically using proprietary or specific platforms for integrating disparate traffic management systems and AIoT devices, authorities are at risk of vendor lock-in. This emphasizes the need for industry-wide collaboration to ensure that all systems are open and able to integrate seamlessly for the benefit of authorities and road users.
5) Recent trends in traffic technology investments
The survey identified a number of key areas where authorities are currently focusing their traffic management investments. The top three of these priorities are a special interest in bicycle lanes (53%), more focus on pedestrian areas (43%), and more focus on emission control (40%).
When it comes to delivering improvements in these key areas, AIoT solutions will be a key technology based on their ability to recognize vehicles invading cycle lanes or other reserved areas of the roadway. In the same way, AI algorithms built into smart devices are capable of identifying and classifying vehicles for low emissions zones and similar schemes.
6) AI and the future of traffic management
Not surprisingly, the survey respondents see AI continuing to improve visibility of real-time traffic conditions in the future (71%). Additionally, the respondents highlighted new opportunities for data analytics that will continue to improve their understanding of future traffic demand, supporting more effective planning (69%). The ability to create digital twins of road networks for improved planning and impact analysis was also mentioned by a significant minority of respondents (42%).
Acting on the insights
This kind of survey illustrates how Hikvision is actively monitoring current and future trends in digital traffic management. The insights will enable us to build the next generation of smart AIoT solutions that deliver the greatest possible benefit for authorities.
In particular, we are enhancing our technology portfolio to deliver even greater safety and efficiency of traffic; to reduce roadside infrastructure requirements based on 'multi-dimensional' perception and multiple AI algorithms and features in a single device chassis; and to automate traffic management processes, from vehicle recognition, violation management, parking management, and much, much more.
For more information on the survey, or how Hikvision's AIoT solutions and other technology solutions are helping to transform traffic management accuracy and efficiency, please visit the website. You can also contact us to discuss your specific traffic management challenges.
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