Greater Manchester trials AI technology for safer roads

New cameras using AI image processing are to be trialled on roads across Greater Manchester to detect drivers using mobile phones or not wearing a seatbelt.

The new ‘Heads Up’ technology from Acusensus captures footage of passing vehicles before the images are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect potential offending drivers. Footage detected as containing an offence will be sent for a secondary human check for confirmation.

The AI trial will be used by Safer Roads Greater Manchester as a traffic survey so we can understand how many drivers still choose to break the law and to inform future TfGM campaigns to improve compliance of mobile phone and seatbelt rules.

Research shows that you are four times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone while driving and twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seat belt.

Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Network Director for Highways, said:

“In Greater Manchester we know that distractions and not wearing seat belts are key factors in a number of road traffic collisions on our roads which have resulted in people being killed or seriously injured.

“By utilising this state-of-the-art technology provided by Acusensus, we hope to gain a better understanding of how many drivers break the law in this way, whilst also helping to reduce these dangerous driving practices and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Heads Up, which can be mounted to a vehicle or a trailer, will be deployed at several locations across Greater Manchester from Tuesday 3^rd September on a trial basis. The Acusensus camera system has been previously used by police forces and local highways authorities across the UK since it was first trialled by National Highways in 2021.

Geoff Collins, General Manager at Acusensus, said:

“Using our ‘Heads Up’ technology will allow Safer Roads Greater Manchester to better understand the levels of distracted driving and seat belt wearing on their roads. 

“The vast majority of drivers set out to be safe on every journey, but bad habits can creep in, resulting in a safety risk for everyone.  This approach is the first step in encouraging better behaviour, ensuring safety for all road users.”