Bangkok to start using AI in management of traffic flow

Bangkok is to start using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to manage traffic flow on Ratchadapisek, Prasertmanukit and Ratchapruek roads. The traffic management model, developed through cooperation between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Office of Transport, Traffic Policy and Planning, will use AI to estimate traffic volume in each hour, analyse bottlenecks and come up with solutions in real time. For example, by adjusting traffic lights in line with traffic volume. The technology will utilise the city's existing 1,000 CCTV traffic cameras, managed by the BMA, and there will be more cameras installed on Ratchadapisek Road for this project.

The BMA has about another 60,000 CCTV cameras installed around the city, most of which are for security purposes and cannot work with the AI traffic system. Traffic lights in Bangkok have been programmed according to traffic data, but this has only been done for certain times of the day, such as rush hours and weekends, which might not be in line with the real time situation, according to deputy Bangkok governor, Wisanu Subsompon, who added that the BMA hopes to improve traffic flow within a year with the smallest budget possible.