Changhua launches its first smart traffic control center

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Changhua and Chunghwa Telecom on Tuesday launched the county's smart traffic control center to ease congestion and improve road safety, according to a Chunghwa Telecom press release.

The county government said the control center was built in collaboration with Chunghwa Telecom. The initiative began with County Highway 134, as it connects to Heimei, the county's most populous township.

The county said engineers have tweaked and coordinated signal timing at 25 intersections along the county highway, while 32 AI-enabled cameras have been set up at eight other intersections to monitor traffic in real time. The county noted that overall intersection delays have been reduced by 18%.

The county said the center can immediately adjust signals at up to 20 networked intersections to ease traffic. The county added the center will also automatically notify maintenance crews when signal lights malfunction.

County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei (王惠美) said the launch is a milestone for smart transportation, per the county government press release. She said the county plans to cover other corridors and parking lots.

Chunghwa Telecom’s Changhua Operations Manager Cheng Hsi-sheng (鄭希聖) said the company introduced AI vehicle-flow recognition, big-data analysis, and 5G network speed. Chang added that the center is also connected to the Ministry of Transportation's database, which can advise controllers to make timely, data-backed decisions.

The county installed radar detection and electronic changeable message signs at three tight intersections to warn people of oncoming vehicles, reducing accidents from blind spots and speeding. The county added speed-warning equipment near Nanguo and Yuanlin elementary schools and County Highway 139, reminding drivers to slow down for students and other pedestrians.

The county government also installed a smart pedestrian crossing system in front of its building to aid passersby using AI image recognition and radar. The county said the system would signal green or extend the countdown upon detection, reducing wait times for both drivers and walkers.