AI traffic cameras give Maryland drivers real-time feedback on violations

Police departments in Prince George's County, Maryland, are working with an artificial intelligence company to improve road safety, WRC-TV reported Friday.

Obvio, a technology company, developed the world's first traffic monitors powered by AI, its website claims. The group aims to work with police departments, homeowners' associations, and college campuses to "eliminate traffic problems."

The company's AI-powered technology automatically detects traffic offenses, including stop sign violations, speeding, tailgating, and bike and bus lane violations. It can also detect when a driver fails to yield to pedestrians. A digital display provides drivers with real-time feedback regarding their traffic infractions. For instance, when a driver runs through a stop sign, the digital display reads, "Unsafe stop."

"With a network of sensors, cameras, and intelligent algorithms, our system is capable of intelligently monitoring and analyzing driver behavior while providing real-time feedback to unsafe drivers to make our roads safer for everyone," Obvio's website states.

Obvio CEO Dhruv Maheshwari told WDVM-TV that the technology can automatically read camera footage to determine whether a driver failed to stop at a stop sign or was speeding.

"We're trying to bring AI to the hands of police officers and communities," Maheshwari stated.

Cottage City, Colmar Manor, and Forest Heights partnered with Obvio to launch pilot programs. Cottage City, which recently finished its pilot program, noted a 76% decrease in drivers running stop signs.

The city's police chief, Anthony Ayers, told WRC, "When you have a speed camera, sometimes you're not paying attention."

"You're not aware that you went past the speed camera until you realize you receive that in the mail. This is a lot different. You get that fast response that you did something wrong," he added.

Ayers hopes the AI traffic tool's real-time feedback will encourage drivers to change their behavior. He told WDVM that the area has experienced many stop sign runners and several accidents that have caused property damage. The department plans to purchase two AI-powered traffic monitors, Ayers noted.

Forest Heights Police Chief Anthony Rease told the news outlet that the department is currently understaffed. He hopes the AI system will help "fill that void" and determine which areas require more enforcement. Rease explained that Forest Heights is already beginning to see a change in drivers' behavior after launching the city's pilot program Friday.

The monitoring system does not issue drivers a ticket or a fine, but police can use the evidence captured by the technology to catch offenders.

Privacy advocates have pushed back against law enforcement's use of AI-powered cameras and other similar monitoring systems, claiming they can be used for large-scale surveillance.

Westchester County, New York, previously rolled out an AI monitoring system created by Rekor. Authorities used the AI company's 480 cameras to scan 16 million license plates per week in an effort to stem drug trafficking. The system also logged the make, model, and color of each vehicle. This vast data collection allowed the AI tool to track drivers' behavior.

In March 2022, the automated system tagged David Zayas' driving pattern as suspicious. Westchester County Police Department used evidence gathered from the AI monitor to pull him over and search his vehicle. Authorities found 112 grams of crack cocaine, a firearm, and $34,000 cash, court documents revealed. Zayas ultimately pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

Zayas' lawyer, Ben Gold, told Forbes that the technology allowed for "dragnet surveillance."

"This is the systematic development and deployment of a vast surveillance network that invades society's reasonable expectation of privacy," Gold warned. "With no judicial oversight, this type of system operates at the caprice of every officer with access to it."

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