As urban populations continue to grow, traffic congestion is becoming a major problem in cities around the world. Commuters waste hours sitting in traffic jams, costing industry billions in lost productivity and contributing to pollution. But the rise of smart cities is offering innovative solutions to reduce gridlock and improve daily commutes. By leveraging data, technology and intelligent infrastructure, cities can revolutionise transportation systems and ease the burden on their roads.

One of the key elements of a smart city is the integration of different transportation modes – buses, trains, bikes and even ride-sharing services – into a seamless system. For example, when public transit networks, including railways, are optimised through data-driven planning, they can reduce car dependency and free up road space. Collaborating with a railway construction expert allows cities to develop modern rail infrastructure that complements other modes of transport, making commuting smoother and more efficient. However, the solutions don’t stop there.

The causes of traffic congestion

To understand how smart cities can solve congestion, it’s important to identify its core causes:

• Over-reliance on cars: Many cities have been built around cars rather than pedestrians or public transport, leading to overcrowded roads.
• Poorly timed traffic signals: Outdated systems that don’t adapt to real-time traffic flow can create bottlenecks.
• Lack of multi-modal options: Without convenient alternatives like trains, buses or cycling infrastructure, people often default to using private vehicles.
• Inefficient land use: Sprawling urban development forces people to drive long distances between home, work and essential services.

Addressing these issues requires a mix of infrastructure upgrades, data-driven decision-making and behaviour-changing policies.

Smart traffic management systems

One of the most effective tools in a smart city’s toolkit is the deployment of smart traffic management systems. These systems use sensors, cameras and AI-powered algorithms to monitor traffic in real time and make adjustments to optimise flow. Here’s how they work:

• Adaptive traffic signals: Unlike traditional signals, adaptive ones change based on current traffic conditions. If sensors detect an unusually long line of cars at an intersection, the system can extend the green light to clear the backlog.
• Dynamic traffic routing: Real-time data from GPS devices and road sensors can guide drivers toward less congested routes. Cities like Los Angeles have implemented such systems, reducing travel times during peak hours.
• Priority lanes for public transport: Smart cities can designate bus and tram lanes that automatically adjust traffic lights to give public transport priority, ensuring on-time arrivals and encouraging more people to use it.

Promoting sustainable transportation options

Reducing car dependency is critical to solving congestion. Smart cities focus on promoting alternatives through a mix of infrastructure and incentives.

• Public transport integration: When buses, trains and trams are well-connected and run frequently, they become a viable alternative to cars. Mobile apps that provide real-time updates on delays or route changes improve the commuter experience and encourage more users.
• Bicycle-friendly cities: By creating dedicated bike lanes and expanding bike-sharing programs, cities can shift short-distance travellers away from cars. Smart bike-sharing systems, which allow users to locate and rent bikes via mobile apps, have gained popularity in cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam.
• Carpooling and ride-sharing: Platforms like Uber and Lyft, when integrated with city data, can offer efficient ride-pooling services. Smart cities can incentivise carpooling by offering discounts or reserved lanes.

Data-driven urban planning

One of the long-term solutions to traffic congestion is better urban planning. Smart cities collect data from road networks, public transport systems and even pedestrian movement to inform future development. For instance, if data reveals that certain areas consistently experience bottlenecks, urban planners can redesign intersections, build overpasses or expand alternative transport options.

Additionally, by promoting mixed-use developments – where housing, offices and amenities are clustered together – smart cities reduce the need for long commutes. When people can live closer to work and daily services, they are less likely to rely on cars.

Incentivising behavioural change

Technology alone cannot solve traffic congestion without addressing commuter habits. Cities need to implement policies that encourage people to use sustainable modes of transport. Congestion pricing, for example, charges drivers a fee for entering busy areas during peak hours, discouraging unnecessary car trips. Cities like Singapore and London have successfully implemented this strategy, significantly reducing traffic in city centres.

Similarly, cities can offer subsidies for public transport or incentives for biking and carpooling, shifting commuter behaviour toward greener and more efficient options.

By combining these strategies, smart cities are proving that traffic congestion isn’t an inevitable consequence of urban growth. With the right blend of data, technology and forward-thinking planning, cities can create more sustainable, efficient transportation systems and make commuting easier for everyone.

[disclosure*]