Traffic detection at intersections with camera systems

Traffic detection at junctions with camera systems

The busiest traffic light junctions in the city of Jena handle traffic volumes of up to 50,000 vehicles a day. With fixed traffic light phases, traffic jams would be omnipresent, and not just at peak times. In order to adapt the tight clearance times to actual demand, our traffic lights process dozens of detectors as input information. These include classic induction loops, pedestrian buttons, radar sensors and radio telegrams from local traffic.

Over the last few years, thermal imaging cameras have also been added in Jena as a reliable detection method. In spring 2024, camera detectors were installed around the intersections of Fischergasse and Volksbad as part of the "5G traffic networking" pilot project (funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport) of the city of Jena(https://smartcity.jena.de/5g/teilprojekt-kooperative-lichtsignalanlage).

The cameras are currently in test operation. Thermal imaging cameras detect movement patterns and can categorize road users (e.g. cars, trucks, cyclists and pedestrians). Cyclists in particular can be detected much more reliably with this technology than with induction loops. The technology used meets all data protection requirements in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means that no image data is stored, but only certain values (category, direction of travel, etc.) are analyzed and used to control the traffic lights.

Cameras are currently being retrofitted to pedestrian signal systems in the "SmartLSA Jena" project with funding from the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport's Directive on the Digitization of Municipal Traffic Systems (DKV). These are part of a new intelligent control system that will help to better balance the interests of motorized and non-motorized road users locally in the future. The system developed in Germany also complies with data protection regulations and does not store any images. The cameras at the pedestrian lights have not yet been activated. Kommunalservice Jena will provide separate information in the press as soon as they go live.