Israel Advances AI-Driven Adaptive Traffic Lights to Cut Congestion and Save Hundreds of Millions

Traffic congestion in Israel continues to worsen, with experts warning that without a major shift to public transportation, conditions will deteriorate further. In response, Netivei Israel has installed around 170 adaptive traffic lights using artificial intelligence to analyze real-time traffic demand and adjust signal timings accordingly. A recent study by Globes examined 25 intersections representing various scenarios, finding an average vehicle time saving of about 25 seconds per intersection daily. For example, at the Poriyadis intersection, which handles approximately 80,000 vehicles daily, the total time saved amounts to 771 hours per day. Similarly, the entrance to Kiryat Tivon saw average reductions of up to 56 seconds per vehicle, totaling 679 hours saved daily.

Netivei Israel estimates that deploying adaptive traffic lights at 100 intersections annually could yield economic benefits exceeding half a billion shekels. Unlike traditional traffic lights operating on fixed schedules based on periodic traffic counts, these adaptive systems use cameras to detect vehicles and queue lengths up to hundreds of meters away, dynamically adjusting signal durations to current conditions. Developed in collaboration with ITC and various divisions within Netivei Israel, the system aims to have all 750 signalized intersections under their jurisdiction converted to adaptive within five years.

Eitan Zilberstein, head of technology at Netivei Israel’s traffic management division, explained that an average commuter encounters three main traffic routes with 5 to 10 intersections each on their way to work. He estimates that saving 10 minutes per trip could accumulate to two work weeks saved annually per driver. Zilberstein emphasized that the goal is not just smarter individual lights but fully adaptive corridors where improvements at one intersection do not cause delays at the next. This comprehensive approach is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion nationwide.