Skip to main content

Seattle goes with the Flow

Traffic Signal Management platform will be deployed across city’s University District
By David Arminas April 19, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
Seattle's University District (© Cpaulfell | Dreamstime.com)

Flow Labs, a transportation software technology leader specialising in artificial intelligence, will deploy the company’s Traffic Signal Management platform across Seattle’s University District.

Flow Labs will analyse key corridors in the district to generate detailed information concerning traffic patterns, congestion points and other factors affecting traffic flow. This will enable Seattle’s Department of Transportation to understand the effectiveness of signal timings and overall traffic network performance.

Flow Labs’ Integrated Connected Vehicle Data Platform will integrate the city’s roadway infrastructure data, capturing high resolution data from traffic signals, detection systems and connected vehicles. It provides Seattle with a comprehensive real-time view of roadway conditions at every level.

“The Seattle Department of Transportation is a very progressive agency that understands the importance of analytics in delivering the safest, most efficient conditions for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists,” said Jatish Patel, Flow Labs’ chief executive and founder. 

“By leveraging the data that’s already flowing from our roadways and road users, Seattle DoT will have complete visibility into roadway conditions and the ability to adjust traffic patterns as often as needed to ensure streets work better for everyone.”

Seattle’s University District is an urban residential and business community. It is home to the University of Washington’s main campus, including the more than 70,000-seat Husky Stadium, which dramatically impacts the area’s traffic volumes on football game days. The Flow Labs platform enables Seattle DoT to proactively manage traffic signals taking into account pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle safety while balancing efficiency goals during large scale events.

Flow Labs uses AI to clean and analyse data from multiple sources, including connected vehicles and detection devices, to provide previously unachievable traffic volume accuracy and the clearest picture of intersection efficiency available - all with no hardware required.

“Performance measurement has always been difficult, particularly getting clear metrics on overall mobility, efficiency and sustainability. The necessity of expensive hardware and manual fieldwork has always been a barrier to improving traffic conditions,” said Patel.

“The Flow Labs platform taps into the power of integrated transportation data and AI so agencies can orchestrate the entire transportation ecosystem for improved safety, accessibility and quality of life in cities for all road users."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Riyadh opts for TransCore traffic management system
    February 25, 2015
    TransCore has expanded its presence in the Middle East with a contract worth US$100 million to provide the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) of Saudi Arabia with an advanced traffic management system to improve the flow of traffic for the seven million people living in Riyadh. TransCore will deploy its TransSuite software solution to manage traffic signal operations at 350 of the city’s busiest intersections. The system automatically adjusts traffic signal timing in response to real-time traffic conditio
  • IBTTA seeks transportation innovation
    December 16, 2016
    IBTTA’s Patrick Jones contemplates the need for, sources of and constraints on transportation innovation. For years now, visionary thinkers and doers in the highway transportation community have been laser-focused on the role of innovation in addressing the most pressing mobility challenges.
  • Iteris and Cisco to deliver connected road solutions
    January 15, 2019
    Iteris is promoting Cisco’s Connected Roadway solution through initiatives between the companies which include a demo at the Smart Cities Innovation Accelerator during this week’s Innovator’s Forum in Las Vegas, US. Iteris is to integrate its Vantage Next video detection platform with Cisco’s Kinetic software solution to help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The edge-processing Internet of Things solution is being deployed with Las Vegas city authorities and will analyse multimodal data from
  • Ford Mobility: analytics aids transport proactivity
    April 2, 2020
    Ford Mobility has demonstrated how data analytics can help implement London's transport strategy in areas such as traffic re-timing and in eliminating all road fatalities (Vision Zero) by 2041.