By the end of 2025, over 120 intersections in Chattanooga will have traffic management technology installed through the Ouster BlueCity solution.
This project is being conducted by the California-based lidar technology company Ouster after it was awarded a $2 million contract for the Scenic City. 12 intersections have already been piloted (like at Georgia Avenue + MLK Boulevard) — let’s get into the hows and whys.
Ouster BlueCity technology
This system uses digital lidar sensors — think: pulsed lasers that measure distances to a target — and edge AI to collect more intelligent signal actuation at intersections + data.
The sensors are connected to perception software that creates a real-time, 3D digital traffic copy of the intersection or road it is monitoring. Notably, the data is stored in the cloud for continued monitoring and as a resource for long-term planning.
Why it matters
The key goal is to improve roadway safety and reduce congestion. This can be achieved through the data that shows traffic flow, detection + analysis of safety incidents, and detection for vehicle-to-everything communications.
Anything from the number of near-misses, travelers running red lights, and pedestrian crossing time estimations will be calculated.
“Ouster BlueCity already led us to install a crosswalk that resulted in a 100% reduction in near-miss incidents on a high-risk city block,” said Founding Director of the Center for Urban Informatics & Progress (CUIP) Dr. Mina Sartipi. “We are just starting to capture the full benefits of this technology.”
The city is working with Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems + CUIP to have the software installed by the end of the year.
Wanting to hear directly from the experts? Register for a free webinar on Tuesday, Jan 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. to learn fully about how Chattanooga is redefining this research.
