AI-powered traffic control in Guiyang: Smarter roads, smoother commutes

Guiyang is revolutionizing urban traffic management with its AI-driven signal control platform. Key intersections, including Shubo Avenue and Guanshan East Road and the intersection of Beijing West Road and Shubo Avenue, serve as primary samples for AI-driven data analysis. The system dynamically adjusts light timings, ensuring smooth traffic flow and reduced congestion.

Guiyang roads are in good condition and accommodate a constant flow of vehicles. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Since the launch of Guiyang's AI Traffic Control Platform in 2022, traffic signal efficiency has significantly improved. By December 2024, the average vehicle delay on key roads decreased by 23 percent. Vehicle ownership has continued to surge, reaching 2.4 million by October 2024, with an average monthly increase of 20,000.

To tackle this, Guiyang's AI system identified six key traffic issues – overflow, imbalance, oversaturation, wasted signal time, arterial misalignment, and abnormal congestion – optimizing 31 major intersections. Integrating Baidu Maps provides real-time updates on traffic signals, green wave speeds, and congestion alerts, making urban commuting safer and more efficient. Notably, the city's peak-hour congestion index dropped by 16.95 percent in 2022 compared to 2021.

Urban road conditions are dynamically monitored. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Guiyang's "One Spot, One Strategy" initiative offers tailored solutions to address school zone congestion. At Shifu Road Primary School, a series of engineering and AI-driven traffic adjustments reduced morning congestion by 39.33 percent and evening congestion by 15.39 percent. Measures included redesigning pedestrian pathways, optimizing traffic signal timing, and enhancing driver awareness through digital platforms.

Guiyang's AI-powered traffic control system exemplifies forward-thinking urban management. Through continuous data-driven optimization and collaborative governance, the city is setting a benchmark for intelligent, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility.