Pilot scheme between Coventry City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority uses state-of-the-art AI tech to detect near misses between drivers and pedestrians
An ordinary street in Coventry is being used for an extraordinary project, to test the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve road safety. Grange Road in Longford is one of 40 locations across the West Midlands already fitted with road-traffic sensors that have now been upgraded with the new Smart Road Safety and Near Miss tech.
Photo courtesy of Coventry City Council
The aim of the pilot scheme is to test the ability of AI to detect near misses between drivers and pedestrians. The AI-powered vision sensors, developed by VivaCity, can record, for example, when a vehicle passes within a few centimetres of a pedestrian or cyclist. The system then uses object speed and path data to estimate risks of collision between road users. In doing so, potential collision hot spots can be identified before someone is hurt.
The pilot has already recorded several near misses on Grange Road and led to action, with work to install a pedestrian refuge now under way. It’s an example of the proactive nature of this tech. Until now, highway planners could only react to things that had happened, making decisions on where to install safe crossings or speed-reduction measures based on where collisions had already occured.
Across the region, the analysis provided by the system will guide Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and VivaCity on where further safety measures are needed.
The pilot scheme builds on the broader policy, set out in the regional road safety action plan, to tackle dangerous driving across the West Midlands. It supports other interventions, such as funding for additional staff to review speed cameras and dashcam footage.
The latest (provisional) figures show that road deaths across the West Midlands have fallen by some 12% in the past two years. Even so, 43% of all fatalities were pedestrians – which highlights the need for more action to be taken to protect all road users.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, says: ‘One life lost on our roads is one too many. That’s why I’m committed to Vision Zero – no more deaths on our roads. We need to use every tool available to make journeys safer for everyone in the West Midlands. This new AI technology is helping us prevent collisions before they happen, protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. And Coventry is leading the way as the first place to roll out measures that have been guided by high-tech AI.’
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services at Coventry City Council, adds: ‘I’m pleased that we could partner with the combined authority and VivaCity on this road safety initiative. Anything that helps us prevent accidents or reduce their severity is welcomed by me. And as a result of this new clever technology and some cash from Transport for West Midlands, we will be narrowing the junction at Grange Road and adding a refuge in the middle so pedestrians can cross in two parts.
‘Of course, we still need a focus on dealing with areas where accidents have happened – but this new technology will be really helpful as part of a co-ordinated approach to improving the safety of all road users in Coventry.’
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