LiDAR’s smart approach to traffic management challenges

According to recent data, global traffic deaths are on the rise. In America alone, it is estimated that 31,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. In this sense, it is important to improve traffic management to create not only safer but also more sustainable communities around the world. LiDAR technology can provide a smarter approach to this situation by creating a real-time 3D representation of roadways to design and implement solutions that address infrastructure challenges in traffic management. Keep reading to learn more.

LiDAR in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

In the United States, congestion, often due to inefficiency, cost $305 billion in 2020. That’s why it’s necessary to incorporate the use of LiDAR in ITS as it can reduce traffic through smart infrastructure as well as improve the efficiency of vehicles. Additionally, this can help reduce pollution and improve the general sustainability of the transportation ecosystem. Unlike older technologies, LiDAR creates a real-time 3D map of roads and intersections, providing precise traffic monitoring and analytics to detect crashes before they happen. This reliable and unbiased technology does not identify biometric data, such as facial features and skin color, and can also collect data in a wide range of lighting or weather conditions.

Providing cities with better traffic solutions

Municipalities and governments are increasingly recognizing the wide benefits that can be gained with ITS. Solutions that include misses between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, to movement counts of turning vehicles, can all be possible using LiDAR-based monitoring systems. LiDAR analytics provide actionable data, that empowers city officials to determine infrastructure needs and initiatives, such as traffic flow, citizen safety, roadway planning, and optimization, parking management, and environmental improvement. In the near future, this will help predict, diagnose, and address road challenges and provide cities with better data for solving traffic problems.

Traffic analysis tools need smart technology to create intelligent infrastructure, for matters of increasing efficiency and sustainability, and ultimately saving lives. Additionally, using LiDAR technology to improve traffic management and road safety will help reduce congestion and maximize traffic efficiency, in turn decreasing pollution.