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Near misses between drivers and pedestrians are being detected using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology as part of a region wide pilot scheme to improve safety and save lives.
The West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor, Richard Parker has revealed how the region is investing in AI-powered vision sensors that can detect and record near misses between cars and pedestrians or cyclists meaning that potential collision hot spots can be found before someone is hurt.
Using technology from tech firm, VivaCity, Coventry now has 40 sensors with Smart Road Safety and Near Miss technology. This can estimate collision risks between road users. Until now, highway planners have had to use data from collisions that have already happened when deciding where to install safe crossings or speed reduction measures.
The project has already attracted the attention of the Department for Transport, winning an award in October for its use of technology.
The Mayor has appointed a dedicated road safety commissioner, Mat MacDonald. He said: “Acting pre-emptively at danger hotspots to tackle speeds, reduce the volume of traffic and improve physical protections for the most vulnerable road users will without doubt reduce deaths and serious injuries in collisions, which must be our overarching focus.”
The AI near-miss sensors build on the Regional Road Safety Action Plan’s broader crackdown on dangerous driving, complementing other actions such as additional funding for extra staff to review speed cameras and dash cam footage.
Emergency Services Times webinar for preparing for changes to road traffic collision response is now available on catch up.
