How conventional traffic signal boxes work
A conventional traffic signal box has two main components—a controller and a conflict monitor.
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The controller works like the brain of the traffic signal box. It estimates traffic flow based on pixel changes in visual data gathered from proximity sensors, loop detectors, and video cameras. The controller then responds to changes in traffic flow with pre-programmed vehicle movements, lanes, and timing sequences.

The other component, the conflict monitor, is the safeguard for the operation. When it detects malfunction signals in conflicting directions, it notifies the controller and cues the traffic lights at the intersection. It also monitors the controller’s power voltage.
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The problem with conventional traffic signal control
Conventional signal boxes do not adapt to the ebb and flow of overarching traffic behaviors. Roads tend to be congested in the mornings during rush hour, but are less so in the afternoons. Conventional methods do not respond dynamically to that traffic pattern and attend only to small details.

To add to the problem, the proximity sensors and loop detectors used in conventional traffic control are often expensive and not built to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Ultron for adaptive traffic signal control
We have developed Ultron with computer vision AI technology to take traffic signal control to the next level.

The signal system adapts to real-time traffic conditions by classifying vehicles and responding to live feed from AI sensors and cameras. The vehicle detection model calculates traffic density at every phase. Ultron’s algorithm then sends the scheduling timing and optimized red light signal duration to the controller. In addition to calculating traffic density, Ultron considers the number of lanes on the road, vehicle types, and buffer time for vehicles to restart after stopping.

In an age where climate action is critical, Ultron provides the opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions by decreasing traffic congestion and travel time for road users, laying the foundation for truly sustainable cities.

Learn More About Ultron, the NVIDIA® Jetson™-powered Sensor Fusion System that brings high computing power to the edge.