City of Boston Partners with Google on Traffic Signal Optimization

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~ Boston, MA- The City of Boston, in collaboration with the Streets Cabinet and the Innovation and Technology Cabinet, has announced a new partnership with Google's Project Green Light team to tackle traffic congestion in highly congested areas. This innovative technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze traffic patterns and provide recommendations for optimizing traffic signal timing, ultimately reducing stop-and-go traffic and emissions.

According to a 2023 report, Boston was ranked 8th in the world for highest traffic delays. In response to this issue, the City has implemented four recommendations at intersections in Fenway-Kenmore, Mission Hill, and Jamaica Plain by adjusting signal timing.

Mayor Michelle Wu expressed her frustration with traffic in major cities and emphasized the importance of taking action to combat congestion. "We often find that small traffic hotspots from mistimed signals or curbside issues can swell into larger congestion, so targeting these micro spots goes a long way," said Mayor Wu. She believes that this partnership with Google's Project Green Light will not only alleviate congestion but also reduce emissions and inefficiencies on city streets.

Over the past five months, Project Green Light has analyzed traffic at hundreds of signalized intersections using AI and Google Maps driving trends. The Boston Transportation Department's (BTD) traffic engineers then assessed each recommendation for safety, feasibility, and effectiveness before implementing them. The impact of these changes on traffic patterns is continuously monitored by Project Green Light to ensure their effectiveness.

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Since the partnership began in February 2024, BTD's traffic engineers have used Project Green Light's recommendations to optimize signal timing and reduce unnecessary stops. At two intersections- Huntington Ave. & Opera Place and Amory Street & Green Street- stop-and-go traffic has been reduced by over 50%. This aligns with the average 10% reduction in emissions experienced by other cities around the world that use Project Green Light.

Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets, acknowledged the stress and time-consuming nature of traffic for residents and believes that Project Green Light provides a powerful tool to optimize traffic flow. "It provides our traffic engineers with important data to tweak a signal by seconds which can help reduce congestion along a corridor," said Franklin-Hodge. He also expressed excitement about continuing this partnership as a way to improve the city's streets for everyone.

Michael Lawrence Evans, Director of Emerging Technology for the City of Boston, highlighted the potential of machine learning and AI in improving core operations. "Our partnership with Google's Project Green Light team demonstrates how this technology can have an immediate impact on a common experience like traffic congestion," said Evans. He also mentioned that this partnership sets the stage for continuous improvements across the city's traffic signal network.

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Green Light, a Google Research initiative, uses AI and Google Maps driving trends to model traffic patterns and make recommendations for optimizing existing traffic light plans. This includes adjusting synchronization between lights at nearby intersections or shifting "green time" between lights to better match demand. BTD engineers are currently considering more recommendations from Project Green Light to be implemented throughout 2024. The program has also helped monitor traffic signal infrastructure by ensuring proper functioning of signal control boxes, copper/fiber-optic connections, and loop sensors.

Project Green Light is currently live in 14 cities on four continents, with Boston and Seattle being the only U.S. cities included in the program. Matheus Vervloet, Product Manager at Google, expressed his enthusiasm for using AI to improve people's lives in cities around the world by reducing traffic and emissions. "The success of Green Light is only possible thanks to the partnership we have with cities like Boston," said Vervloet. He looks forward to working closely with the city to expand this technology to more intersections in the future.

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