Safe driving practices are undoubtedly proven to reduce traffic and pedestrian accidents, which makes roadways safer for all. Abiding by local traffic laws can also keep your car insurance down, as moving traffic violations can dramatically increase your rates, or lead to possible license suspension or revocation. The reason I am bringing this to your attention is that traffic detection technology just got a whole lot smarter as the result of powerful new surveillance analytics that are about to hit the streets.

Conventional traffic detection systems basically detect simple violations, like running traffic control signals. These systems are directly linked to traffic lights and toll sensors, and typically snap a series of still video images when a vehicle passes by prepositioned cameras synced to these systems. New systems coming to market deliver far more advanced detection capabilities that usher in a whole new generation of traffic enforcement technology.

This technology can be built on advanced Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and combines engineered analytics-driven software and hardware to provide real-time detection of complex traffic violations with the unparalleled identification accuracy of license plate recognition (LPR) analytics.  The combination of these powerful analytics provides numerous unique benefits over conventional traffic detection systems, including the ability to precisely identify vehicles committing a much broader range of violations than previously possible.

Automatic License Plate Recognition analytics enable the ability to monitor multiple vehicles, as well as pedestrian behavior, at intersections and potentially hazardous roadways. It can detect vehicles that run red lights and stop-signs, are travelling in the wrong direction, not following road signs, not yielding to pedestrians, driving in designated traffic lanes (like buses only, or no truck lanes…), and various other violations. Additionally, built-in integration capabilities allow automation of evidence processing by authorities to simplify ticket issuing.

These new traffic detection solutions are designed for easy integration and installation.

Although traffic and pedestrian safety are undoubtedly a top-tier priority of every municipality, there are (of course) financial benefits for municipalities to install such advanced systems technology. In fact, the financial benefits alone can be used in most instances as justification to traffic detection and surveillance solutions, whether purchased outright or via a systems integrator’s profit-sharing lease program. In either case, little to no capital investment need be allocated to tap into what promises to be a highly accurate and easily deployed new source of revenue for local governments. Improving constituent safety while simultaneously raising revenues is the perfect combination of talking points most politicians and traffic managers simply won’t be able to resist.

So slow down, pay attention to traffic signs, and drive attentively. It really is better for all of us from every perspective in the long run.