Economic gains and human benefits
Security by design
For logistics companies, delivery fleets, ride-share platforms, and transit authorities, the ROI is tangible. A 10 % improvement in delivery efficiency could translate to more than $ 1.3 billion in fuel savings annually— based on the above-mentioned 3.3 billion wasted gallons sitting in congestion. If large fleets also improve asset utilization— say by just one hour per vehicle per day— the resulting productivity gains could exceed another $ 1.3 billion across major operators. Uber drivers spend less time idling. UPS avoids congestion bottlenecks. Amazon delivers more on time.
Security is another hurdle frequently cited. But smart traffic systems don’ t require exposing personal data. They process anonymized, encrypted BSMs. With proper implementation of zero-trust architecture, penetration testing, and redundancy protocols, risks can be managed like any other digital infrastructure.
Cities protect water systems, utility grids, and emergency communications— all of which are digital and online. Traffic control can and should be treated with the same rigor and strategy.
But the deeper upside is human. Emergency responders gain automatic green-light priority, cutting response times by precious minutes. In cardiac arrest cases, every minute saved increases survival odds by 7 %. School buses can trigger red lights at intersections, reducing pedestrian risk near schools. Smart cones reroute traffic dynamically during construction, improving worker safety and traffic flow. Children wearing connected bike helmets can signal intersections to extend crossing times or alert oncoming vehicles.
Debunking the infrastructure myth
The gateway to smarter cities
AI-powered intersections aren’ t the endpoint— they’ re a catalyst. They trigger a ripple effect that touches everything from traffic and transit to air quality, safety, and equity. Connected signals make roads safer and smoother for all travelers— whether in autonomous cars, city buses, or bicycles. Traffic that flows more smoothly burns less fuel, reducing emissions and delays while improving transit reliability and logistics efficiency. Emergency vehicles arrive faster. Streets get quieter and safer.
Critics argue these systems require massive infrastructure overhauls. But most existing traffic systems already include IP interfaces. AI platforms can integrate with current MAP / SPAT messaging protocols without a complete hardware replacement.
In fact, legacy signal control boxes are often replaced every 10 years at significant cost. Cities that recently upgraded those boxes may hesitate— but they don’ t need to. This transition is incremental, not disruptive. Like the shift from paper to electronic health records, it’ s not a leap of faith. It’ s a step forward.
Autonomous vehicles play a supporting role— not because they drive themselves, but because of what they make possible. By reducing human error, which causes over 90 % of traffic accidents, they can significantly improve safety. They also offer greater mobility to the elderly, people with disabilities, and underserved communities. And when connected through a smart traffic network, they help balance public and private transit— cutting redundancy, lowering emissions, and improving the overall system.
The Kyndryl Institute Journal 25