Fig. 120: Advantages of Traffic lights optimization

Objectives

One of the challenges that India faces, as an emerging economy, is high-density metropolitan cities with an ever-growing number of private vehicles. This is leading to mobility issues such as traffic congestion, higher transit times, etc., which combined with frequent planned/unplanned disruptions can make traffic flow management an arduous task. Most of us have multiple memories of getting stuck in traffic while being late for a meeting, crossing an intersection on a third try, or having to take a detour due to a construction project, which resulted in significant additional transit time. Google wanted to use its technologies and geospatial data to solve these problems at scale. Its partnership with city authorities to design large-scale urban mobility solutions revolves around three key objectives: y Reducing traffic congestion by optimising traffic lights (piloted in Bengaluru). y Surfacing real-time disruption data on Google Maps in partnership with traffic authorities (live in 9+ cities). y Enhancing road safety by sharing speed limit data with users (piloted in Bengaluru and Chandigarh).

Stakeholders Involved

Bengaluru Traffic Police, Chandigarh Traffic Police, and traffic authorities in other cities (Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi, among others). Solution and Implementation

Optimising Traffic Lights: Road transportation is responsible for ~10% of global GHG (Greenhouse Gases), and the problem is amplified by traffic congestion. Some of this congestion can be mitigated by optimal traffic light settings. The team undertook research into using Artificial Intelligence to optimize the efficiency of traffic lights based on real-time traffic data on Google maps.

Over the past few months, Google has partnered with the Bengaluru Traffic Police Team and is running a pilot at five major traffic intersections in the city. Using existing traffic patterns and the power of AI – they were able to reduce wait time at intersections, and road congestion, and as a result, reduce carbon emissions as well:

Fig. 120: Advantages of Traffic lights optimization

Surfacing Real-Time Disruption Data on Google Maps in Partnership with Traffic Authorities: One of Google’s endeavours is to provide real-time traffic updates to its users by surfacing information about ad-hoc and unplanned disruptions (construction, weather, VIP movements, festivals, etc.) that affect cities regularly. City traffic authorities have also found this information useful and use this for various traffic management and monitoring purposes.

Today, Google has partnered with civic and traffic authorities in 9+ cities, to proactively receive reliable data from these authorities and display it on the Maps platform to inform users about these disruptions. This data