Boston, Google partner on AI-based traffic signal optimization

On Thursday, the city of Boston announced it had entered into a partnership with Google’s Project Green Light to optimize traffic signal timing.

Using AI to model traffic patterns, the partnership will work to reduce stop-and-go traffic, improving traffic flow in highly congested areas and reducing emissions. In 2023, Boston ranked 8th in the world for the highest traffic delays. The city said it hoped the Google partnership would lower delays. It implemented four recommendations at intersections in Fenway-Kenmore, Mission Hill, and Jamaica Plain by changing signal timing.

“One of the most frustrating parts of living in a major city is traffic, so Boston is taking every step to combat congestion and get people to where they need to go,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “We often find that small traffic hotspots from mistimed signals or curbside issues can swell into larger congestion, so targeting these micro spots goes a long way. This innovative work with the latest technology from Google’s Project Green Light will help relieve the frustrating congestion that so many of our residents face, while helping to reduce emissions and inefficiencies on our city streets.”

Officials said that for the past five months, Project Green Light had been analyzing traffic at hundreds of intersections using AI and Google Maps. The analysis helped the project provide the city with recommendations for optimization of traffics signals and patterns. Boston’s Transportation Department’s traffic engineers then assessed the recommendations for safety, feasibility and effectiveness, officials said, before determining if the recommendation should be implemented. Once implemented, Project Green Light will measure the impact on traffic patterns and provide the analysis back to BTD.

Since February 2024, the city’s traffic engineers have used the recommendation to optimize signal timing and reduce unnecessary stops. Stop and go traffic at the intersections of Huntington Ave and Opera Place, and at Amory Street and Green Street have been reduced by more than 50 percent, the city said.

“We hear from residents throughout the city that traffic can be stressful and takes time away from family, friends, and work,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. “Project Green Light provides a powerful tool that helps us optimize traffic flow on our streets. It provides our traffic engineers with important data to tweak a signal by seconds which can help reduce congestion along a corridor. We look forward to continuing this partnership as one way to help our streets work better for everyone.

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