Cities are under pressure to make their streets safer, faster, and more predictable. To do that, they’re turning to systems that can react in real time using data to optimize traffic flow, detect incidents, and ease congestion as conditions change.
The effectiveness of tools like Adaptive Signal Timing (AST) and live incident response depends on accurate, up-to-the-minute traffic data.
And the stakes are high. According to INRIX, traffic congestion cost the average U.S. driver 42 hours and $733 in lost time and fuel in 2023. That kind of delay doesn’t just frustrate drivers—it strains budgets, slows emergency response, and increases emissions.
Understanding how real-time traffic data is collected—and what types of data matter most—is the first step toward building more efficient, responsive urban road systems.
What is Real Time Traffic Data?
Real time traffic data refers to continuously updated information about vehicle movements, road conditions, and travel activity across a city’s streets and highways. Collected and processed instantly, it provides a live feed of what’s happening across the network.
Examples include:
- Vehicle metrics. Sensors track the number of vehicles on a road, how fast they’re moving, and what types they are. Advanced setups measure acceleration and braking patterns, detect congestion buildup, and flag stopped vehicles or possible collisions.
- Travel times. Sensors on major roads track how long vehicles take to pass, helping systems predict arrival times and spot slowdowns.
- Parking spot availability. Sensors in garages and public lots track the number of spaces currently occupied. This live occupancy data supports navigation systems, digital signage, and mobile apps, helping drivers find spots faster and reducing unnecessary cruising.
How Smart Traffic Sensors Collect Data in Real Time
The foundation of any live traffic system is the hardware that collects the data. Here are some of the primary tools used to gather road intelligence:
- High-definition video cameras. Cameras are a core traffic system tool, streaming live footage from intersections and highways. With AI analysis, they can quickly detect slowdowns, crashes, and lane blockages.
- 3D radars. Advanced radar and lidar sensors, such as HD3D systems, can track the position, size, and movement of road users, including vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists with precision. Unlike cameras, radar systems operate reliably in adverse weather conditions, including rain, fog, and darkness.
- Artificial intelligence. AI scans high volumes of data to spot patterns, identify issues, and generate insights. They can flag incidents like wrong-way driving or stalled vehicles and support smarter signal timing by learning from traffic trends.
- Connected vehicle data. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology enables cars, trucks, and buses to communicate directly with city infrastructure. V2X feeds provide detailed insights into each vehicle’s speed, heading, and behavior. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), safety applications enabled by V2X technologies could eliminate or mitigate the severity of up to 80% of crashes involving non-impaired drivers.
Why Real Time Traffic Data is Necessary
Real-time traffic data helps planners and traffic systems see what’s happening on the roads right now. They offer the following flow optimization and road safety benefits:
- Rapid congestion response. Sensors can detect crashes or unexpected stoppages within seconds and automatically alert relevant authorities. In some systems, traffic lights can adjust themselves to redirect vehicles away from affected areas, limiting delays and reducing secondary accidents.
- Optimizing traffic flow. AST can read current road conditions and adjust green lights accordingly. Rather than relying on fixed schedules, these adaptive signals help reduce wait times, fuel usage, and emissions. One pilot project in Pittsburgh showed that AI-based adaptive signals cut travel times by over 25% and idling by more than 40%.
- Accurate information for drivers. Accurate and up-to-date information can also directly benefit drivers, from travelers exploring the city for the first time to commuters driving every day. V2X systems can communicate back to vehicles to provide up-to-date navigation data and accurate information regarding delays or hazardous conditions.
Improve Road Safety and Traffic Conditions With Omnisight
Are you looking to adopt advanced sensors to obtain real-time traffic data? The Omnisight FusionSensor has the capabilities your city transportation authorities need.
This compact sensor uses data fusion principles, combining AI-enabled HD video and HD3D radar to detect and interpret traffic conditions in real time. The FusionSensor needs no more than 30 watts of power per device and can transmit usable data up to 20 times per second through a wired or wireless connection.
Get in touch with our team to explore how the FusionSensor can power your traffic management system. We’ll help you put it to work, improving safety, easing congestion, and moving your city forward.
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