Shanghai uses AI to tackle traffic congestion

The traffic administration authorities in Shanghai have applied an AI-powered traffic management system to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the mega city, achieving promising results in optimizing traffic signal timing and scenario solution.

A successful example of the application of this system in operation is the implementation of a reversible-lane plan in the busy Changhai Road of Yangpu District, where there are two third-grade hospitals, which rank at the top of China's three-tier hospital grading system, with heavy traffic during morning peak.

By adjusting the four lanes in both the east and west directions to three west-east lanes and one east-west reversible lane, the AI-driven system helps increase the average vehicle speed from 17.5 kilometers per hour to 26.4 kilometers per hour on this road section.

"The large model for traffic congestion relief helps us to monitor the traffic situation at intersections in real time, and then provide some suggestions on the changes in traffic flow at intersections through AI analysis," said Liu Chengjie, a local traffic police officer.

The AI-powered system also helps to optimize traffic signals.

"What's the most convenient is that it can automatically adjust the ratio of green traffic lights. We don't need to intervene it manually as the model can refresh its operation plans," Liu said.

Trained on police strategies and road network rules, the model can intelligently analyze and continuously optimize traffic solutions.

"In the intersection overflow scenario, we've made upgrade 48 times, and the accuracy rate of traffic lights has increased from 72 percent to 86 percent. At present, it usually takes us two months to train for new scenarios. We have been constantly expanding our knowledge base and increasing the upgrade of scenarios to enable the model to learn as much as possible at each intersection or analyze more scenarios," said Lu Zhuoliang, a police officer at the AI traffic congestion relief task force under the traffic management division of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

At present, the large model for traffic congestion relief has been applied to over 360 key intersections in Shanghai, with an average increase of 12.9 percent in traffic efficiency.

It is expected that by October this year, it will cover over 1,800 intersections in Shanghai.

Shanghai uses AI to tackle traffic congestion

Dozens of protesters in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture rallied in front of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Fuji on Tuesday to condemn the government's deployment of new missiles at the base.

Japan's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) for island defense had been deployed at Camp Fuji, and Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture had been equipped with a ground-launched version of the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile.

This marks the first time that long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities have been brought into service in Japan and marks a significant shift from the country's long-standing exclusively defense-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution.

Protesters have expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target and have repeatedly called on the defense ministry to hold public briefings, which have yet to take place.

"As local residents, we cannot remain silent. We must speak out to reassure our residents and ensure their safety. This time, they are deploying a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, but this will continue. After Camp Kengun and Camp Fuji, they will deploy more throughout the country. We cannot ignore this. We must voice our opposition," said Hiroyuki Takahata, a protester.

"As mentioned in the latest appeal, the government disregards the Constitution in this missile deployment. It should focus on its primary duty of protecting people's lives and well-being," said another protester.

The local civic group Stop Missiles at Fuji Association has also submitted a petition to the Japanese military, demanding that the Japanese government stop deploying missiles at Camp Fuji and re-examine its security policies.

"Missiles have been transported to Kumamoto and also deployed here, without any explanation. This is tantamount to deceiving us. We are extremely angry," said Hiromi Yamazaki, a representative of the organization.

"Since Sanae Takaichi took office, we have seen that Japan is heading toward a situation where it could start a war, so we must speak out. We don't want the younger generation to bear that kind of future. This is our wish," said Michiko Takahata, another protester.

Japanese rally against government's missile deployment