AI cameras help reduce junction near misses

The junction was changed to make it safer for pedestrians to use and slow turning traffic

Near misses between drivers, pedestrians and cyclists have been significantly reduced at a road junction after AI cameras led to improvements being introduced.

The cameras detected near misses at the junction of Grange Road and Anderton Road in Longford, Coventry, and helped calculate how these could be reduced, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said.

The results led to the narrowing of the junction and a new place for pedestrians to cross which has slowed turning traffic and reduced near misses by 88%, TfWM added.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said the technology was a useful tool to help prevent collisions.

The AI cameras monitored the junction over two months and detected 17 near misses. After the safety improvements were installed by the city council there were two in the same period, TfWM said.

The cameras captured near misses between pedestrians, cars and cyclists

The new pedestrian crossing area, or refuge - a kerbed block in the middle of a road with a keep left sign on it - has also forced drivers not to cut the corner when turning into Anderton Road from Grange Road.

TfWM said highway authorities traditionally used data from actual collisions to identify safety issues or hotspot areas, but the Grange Road sensor was one of 40 installed at junctions in the region as part of a pilot project.

TfWM is working with VivaCity, which developed the technology, and local councils.

Mat MacDonald, road safety commissioner for the West Midlands, said the technology showed how to "anticipate, measure and mitigate these harms before tragedy strikes for yet another family".

"It should never take a death or serious injury before we fix roads that are putting people in danger."

Mr Parker said: "Coventry is leading the way as the first place to roll out new safety measures that have been guided by AI, and the results show how this technology really can improve safety and save lives."

After improvements were introduced, the cameras showed traffic had slowed down turning into the junction and pedestrians appeared to be safer