Vivacity’s AI-controlled junctions

Manchester is using AI-controlled traffic junctions from Vivacity to smooth the interaction between vehicles and the UK city’s increasing number of cyclists and pedestrians.
April 6, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
Thanks to an app from sensor manufacturer Kistler, documentation is easier and more practical

As more cyclists and pedestrians use junctions originally designed to prioritise cars and other vehicles, there is a need to look carefully at exactly who is using the roads and crossings and how they might most safely be able to move around.

“Since the pandemic, commuter trends and traffic hotspots have changed completely and cities need AI to help protect people no matter what mode of transport they take,” said Mark Nicholson, chief executive of Vivacity Labs. “Our vision is to help cities implement critical policies addressing safety, air quality, sustainable travel and congestion at a hyper-local level.”

Manchester’s programme - which won the Innovative Use of Technology award at the 2020 ITS (UK) Awards - uses sensors with inbuilt artificial intelligence (AI) to help Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to anonymously identify different types of road users at selected junctions.

By knowing what modes of transportation are present at a junction, traffic signals can be altered to prioritise some modes of transportation over others, such as cyclists over pedestrians and vehicles.

The AI signal control system, which Vivacity says is the first of its kind, went live last year and now simultaneously controls three neighbouring junctions in the Blackfriars area of Salford.

Manchester’s project is part of a three-year Innovate UK programme that could see up to 20 junctions using the Vivacity system by the end of 2021.

Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Highways: environmental problem or environmental enhancement?
    March 21, 2016
    Highways need not be a blight on the countryside that many people, urban planners included, believe they will always be. By Bram Miller, director, and Martin Broderick, environmental consultant, at Ramboll Environ While the world’s highway networks bring undoubted economic and social benefits, they are generally perceived to lead to negative environmental impacts. Some may consider this an unfair reputation, but it is difficult to argue that in the majority of cases both the construction and operation of
    Read More
  • Mobility for Mexico
    May 3, 2012
    Urban mobility is high on the infrastructure agenda in Mexico. While highways continue to be a priority, capital Mexico City and other large cities across the country are looking to implement mass transport systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.
    Read More
  • Mobility for Mexico
    March 22, 2012
    Urban mobility is high on the infrastructure agenda in Mexico. While highways continue to be a priority, capital Mexico City and other large cities across the country are looking to implement mass transport systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.
    Read More
  • Celebrating Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
    May 12, 2023
    The month-long campaign, formed by National Organisations for Youth Safety and sponsored by Bentley Systems, aims to help reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030.
    Read More

Highlighted Content