AI traffic lights in Essenbach annoy drivers

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Three months after its installation, the first traffic light controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) in Essenbach, Bavaria (district of Landshut), is causing displeasure among citizens. However, the responsible central traffic management office at the Bavarian State Building Directorate replies that the traffic lights work as they should - but not to optimize the flow of traffic. The system also needs time to learn.

But drivers in Essenbach are angry. At an appointment at Essenbach town hall, they voiced their displeasure at the AI-controlled traffic lights at the Ahrainer Straße/Mirskofener Straße junction, reported Bavarian radio station Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR). The traffic lights delay green phases, for example: Although there is no traffic on the intersecting road, the traffic lights remain red for cars, especially in the side streets, and do not change. One resident reported that since the installation of the AI traffic lights, she plans more time for her journeys - be it to the shops, with the children or to work. Alternatively, she avoids the junction by taking shortcuts.

The traffic lights focus on safety

However, the traffic lights are working as they should, explains Stephan Stroh, head of traffic management at the responsible state construction department. He asks for a little patience so that the AI behind the traffic lights can also learn, BR quotes him as saying. The system has already done this. However, the focus of the system is not so much on cars and crossing the road quickly, but rather on the safety of road users - be they pedestrians, cyclists or emergency vehicles from the fire department, police or ambulance service.

The Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building and Transport and the Bavarian State Building Directorate (ZVM) are responsible for the project, which put the AI traffic lights into operation with a large contingent on April 8. Bavaria's Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU), who described the "traffic lights of the future" and the Free State of Bavaria as a "pioneer in terms of technological progress", also attended the inauguration.

Same AI system as in Hamm

As with the AI traffic lights in Hamm, the AI provider Yunex Traffic is behind the system. The company saw the intersection as an ideal environment for the intelligent traffic lights: nearby fire station, cycle path, good visibility for the intelligent turning assistant and collision warning system. This makes it possible to test different use cases.

The traffic light system is designed to prevent accidents and make traffic at this junction safer. Thanks to the hybrid Youtraffic Stream system, emergency services can request a green phase, for example, and there is a warning light that warns of a potential collision, as often happens when turning right if a bicycle wants to continue straight ahead and is overlooked. The AI traffic lights also use awareAI to recognize when pedestrians need more time, for example. This means that the traffic lights stay green longer for people with limited mobility, large groups or children. Cyclists are also given an indication of whether they need to cycle faster or slower in order to catch the next green phase.

No legal basis for AI switching

The focus on safety at this point is obviously unusual for car traffic. Although overall control with AI is technically possible, it does not yet have a legal basis, explains Stroh according to BR. Therefore, the - nevertheless intelligent - gear shifting is carried out via proven systems such as camera detection and predefined switching programs.

Drivers are not happy with this, as Mayor Dieter Neubauer (CSU) makes clear. "People who live here try to get around the traffic lights creatively," BR quotes him as saying. Whether there was also positive feedback from cyclists or pedestrians, for example, is not clear from the report. The final evaluation of the project will take place after a year.

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