AI traffic signal pilot active along Beach Road and York Street

GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality would like to inform residents and daily road users that an AI (Artifical Intelligence) traffic signal optimisation pilot is currently active along the Beach Road and York Street corridor.

This pilot is part of the Municipality's commitment to improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on one of the city's busiest routes.

Project details:

Location
Beach Road and York Street corridor - six intersections between PW Both Boulevard and Rosedale Main Road.

What is being tested:
AI-enabled cameras and adaptive software that dynamically adjust green-light durations based on real-time traffic demand, reallocating signal time to reduce wasted green time and improve intersection efficiency.

Trial period:
The pilot has been active since January and is ongoing. The system is being progressively optimised in coordination with traffic officers (pointsmen) deployed at key intersections.

Early indications:
Initial testing during peak hours has shown reductions in average delays of 30-39% along the corridor. The system continues to be calibrated and refined to achieve optimal performance.

What to expect:

Motorists may notice changes to green-light durations at the following intersections along the corridor:

York Street & PW Botha Boulevard
York Street & N2 North Terminal
York Street & N2 South Terminal
Beach Road & Rosedale Main Road
Beach Road & Olympic Street
Beach Road & Mission Street

These changes are part of the optimisation process and are designed to improve traffic flow. Signal timing patterns may differ from what motorists are accustomed to.

Traffic impact:

Signal timing at pilot intersections will adjust dynamically during peak periods. Motorists may experience shorter or longer green phases than usual.
Traffic officers (pointsmen) remain deployed at key intersections and are working alongside the AI system during the transition period.
Pedestrian signal phases continue to operate normally and are not affected by the AI system.
No personal data is collected. The cameras capture only anonymised traffic counts and vehicle movements - no number plate recognition or identification technology is used.
No personal data is collected. The cameras capture only anonymised traffic counts and vehicle movements - no number plate recognition or identification technology is used.

Data privacy

The system uses FLIR TrafiCam AI cameras that collect only anonymised traffic flow data (vehicle counts, queue lengths, movement direction). No video footage of individuals is stored. Processing complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).