BREAKING: San Anselmo is set to enhance its traffic management system using artificial intelligence, expanding its reach to more intersections and improving traffic flow across the region. The Town Council just approved a new five-year contract on Monday with Roundabout Technologies, a San Francisco startup, to implement this innovative solution.
Under this urgent initiative, the AI-driven system will now monitor and adjust traffic signals at an additional nine intersections along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in San Anselmo, as well as critical points at Red Hill Avenue and Sequoia Drive. The system will also be deployed at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Willow Avenue in nearby Fairfax. This expansion comes with a $250,000 grant from the Transportation Authority of Marin.
The pilot program, launched last summer at Marin’s busiest intersection, the Hub, which experiences up to 65,000 vehicles daily, demonstrated impressive results—with wait times reduced by approximately 25% to 30%. “This has been a great windfall for the town,” stated Sean Condry, Public Works Director, emphasizing the positive impact on traffic management.
Councilmember Eileen Burke highlighted the significance of this system, stating, “We’re never going to get $50 million to replace the Hub with a traffic circle. This is the best substitute we’ve seen in a long time.” The installation and testing of the new systems are expected to commence shortly, with an estimated timeline of four to six months.
The AI system detects vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles, adjusting traffic signals accordingly. Scott Schneider, Assistant Public Works Director, explained how the cameras “whisper in the ear” of the control system to enhance signal efficiency. Notably, the system prioritizes pedestrian safety, keeping signals red until crosswalks are clear.
However, as the council celebrated the advancement, concerns were raised about the ongoing costs. Roundabout Technologies will charge an annual licensing fee of $46,000, which is set to increase by 5% each year. Councilmember Yoav Schlesinger stressed the need to be prudent with budget allocations, questioning, “What part of the budget would that come out of?”
While the technology is groundbreaking, questions remain about its full capabilities. Currently, the system does not detect emergency vehicles, although Collin Barnwell from Roundabout Technologies noted the potential for future enhancements. Privacy concerns were also discussed; Barnwell assured that the video footage lacks detail sufficient to identify drivers or license plates, with data storage limited to 100 gigabytes daily, retaining only two to three days of footage.
The council unanimously directed staff to clarify data ownership and finalize contracts for the installation. Mayor Tarrell Kullaway recused herself from the vote due to her nonprofit’s relationship with Parametrix, a consulting firm involved in tracking the system’s effectiveness.
As traffic continues to grow in San Anselmo and Fairfax, this timely expansion of AI technology promises to significantly improve daily commutes and pedestrian safety. Residents are urged to stay tuned for updates as the installation progresses over the coming months.
