Futuristic traffic light system for Jozi

[BeVonk!]

Surely, with today's technologies, they can create 'intelligent' traffic lights.

Using the cameras installed within these new lights, why can't the lights analyse the traffic conditions and change their timings accordingly?

If the lights see that traffic is backing up in one direction, then they can give that direction a longer green cycle to get more traffic through.

It would ease congestion quite significantly I would think.

Intelligent adaptive traffic control systems like this have been around for decades. Two variants are most commonly used: (1) SCOOT, (2) SCATS. SCOOT's origins lies in London (UK) and SCATS' in Australia. You can google it using terms like SCOOT or SCATS Traffic Control.

Cape Town and Durban have been using SCOOT since the 90's. The problem is not the technology itself but getting skilled people who can implement, operate and maintain these complex systems in SA. The JRA has been battling to get hold of enough skilled people in this field for years. Anyone looking for a good career should consider getting into Traffic Engineering and Traffic Systems. Huge shortage of skilled people in SA.