Revolutionizing the Traffic Light

Two start-ups are using cameras, sensors and AI to enable more efficient vehicle flow through intersections.

Every motorist has experienced the frustration of waiting at a red light when there is no traffic in sight. These days, countless household devices use sensors, cameras and connectivity to understand and respond to the world - so why do most traffic lights languish in the analog age, causing our vehicles to unnecessarily stop and idle?

In a spring 2019 report, Guidehouse Insights forecast that just 7% of North America's signalized intersections would use so-called adaptive traffic-control technology in 2020. On a global level, that number was 2.3%.