How smart CCTV cameras can be a solution for road safety

Taking care of ever-increasing and complex traffic situations is a challenge many cities face.  Rising car ownership and urban sprawl continue to put pressure on our roads, leading to some worrying trends. South Africa has been ranked the world’s most dangerous country to drive in, according to a 2021 study by Zutobi Drivers Ed, a UK-based firm. On top of this, Johannesburg and Cape Town have been consistently featuring in the world charts for the most congested cities. 

However, thanks to smart video solutions, government and private residential estate owners can address these driving-associated stressors head on. Artificial intelligence-powered CCTV cameras deliver an opportunity for increased efficiency in transportation systems, enhanced mobility, and improved safety while allowing public- and private road management to be flexible and fast with changing transportation trends. 

We’ve narrowed down the top benefits of smart CCTV solutions in traffic management to these four areas:

1. Speed limit enforcement
2. Safer driving at intersections
3. Emergency response
4. Alleviating traffic congestion

Let’s take a look at each.

Speed limit enforcement 

Cameras can be set up at roadsides to record the speed of vehicles and keep speeding under control. This ensures that drivers keep within permitted speed limits, thus making traffic safer and reducing the possibility of road accidents. Using radar technology, smart CCTV cameras can calculate the average speed between two points along the road or at the location of a camera. The speed data is associated with each detected license, and sent to traffic units who can respond immediately. In other cases, the license plate number of a speed-violating vehicle is registered, and several weeks later the license plate holder will receive a fine by mail.

Safer driving at intersections

Intersections are often scenes of collision owing to driver negligence and recklessness, which is why it’s an important location to be considered for smart video solutions. The technology makes it possible to monitor driving behavior in real time. This includes drivers jumping red traffic lights, making a U-turn in the middle of the intersection, travelling the wrong way, or using an emergency lane or shoulder to bypass traffic. 

Emergency response

The sooner emergency responders arrive at the scene of an accident, the lower the risk of fatalities. Automatic incident detection delivers a more efficient, rapid response to emergencies, whether motorists require the police, fire service, or paramedics. By analysing live video streams, information about accidents and traffic violations can be obtained in real time and flagged via  an instant alert to the city’s traffic control centre so that help can be dispatched. 

Alleviating traffic congestion

Video analytics can help identify roads and locations where congestion is likely to occur. This helps cities determine if the area would benefit from traffic management schemes. Vehicles are counted and classified in real time and the data is compiled into heat maps and dashboards so that cities can take practical steps toward traffic relief. 

• READ NEXT: Artificial intelligence is supercharging security cameras

Final word

As long as there are car accidents, traffic congestion, and risky driving behaviours, there is room to improve road conditions in private residential estates. CCTV, combined with intelligent analytics, are allowing the government and private residential estate owners to make rapid advancements toward a safer and better driving experience for motorists.