Israel Deploys AI-Powered Smart Traffic Lights Saving Drivers Two Work Weeks Annually

Israel's Ministry of Transportation and Netivei Israel have installed approximately 170 AI-based adaptive traffic lights on intercity roads, aiming to reduce driver wait times at intersections. Recent data from a representative sample of 25 intersections shows the system cuts vehicle queue times by an average of 400 vehicle-hours daily per intersection. This translates to about 10 minutes saved per trip for drivers, amounting to roughly two work weeks saved annually per driver.

The project, which uses cameras and AI computer vision to analyze real-time traffic demand and queue lengths up to hundreds of meters from intersections, adjusts green light durations dynamically. This flexible management replaces traditional fixed-timing traffic lights, better matching actual traffic conditions and improving flow efficiency. For example, at the Poriyadis intersection, daily savings reach 800 vehicle-hours, while at the entrance to Kiryat Tivon, individual vehicle wait times are cut by up to 56 seconds.

Netivei Israel estimates that expanding the system to 100 intersections could generate economic benefits exceeding 500 million shekels annually, based solely on time saved. Additional benefits such as fuel savings, reduced vehicle wear, lower pollution, and improved road safety are not included in this estimate. The system was developed by ITC in close cooperation with Netivei Israel's traffic management and R&D divisions.

Looking ahead, the project aims to evolve from managing individual intersections to coordinating multiple adaptive traffic lights along entire corridors and eventually across the national road network. Eitan Zilberstein, head of traffic technologies at Netivei Israel, envisions all 750 signalized intersections under their responsibility becoming adaptive within five years. He emphasizes the importance of a networked approach where traffic lights communicate to optimize flow holistically rather than in isolation.

Each new traffic light is continuously monitored and evaluated to ensure it improves traffic conditions before further expansion. Since commuters typically encounter 3 traffic corridors with 5 to 10 intersections each on their way to work, the cumulative time savings from a fully adaptive network could reach 10 minutes per trip, equivalent to two work weeks annually per driver.