AI and the Future of Traffic Management

FCI member Dr. Jeff Casello recently joined CTV News for a live interview on the use of AI-powered traffic lights, highlighting both the promise and the practical realities of bringing this technology to different urban contexts. 

Reflecting on a Quebec town’s success using AI to ease gridlock, Dr. Casello noted that adaptive systems can meaningfully improve traffic flow when supported by the right infrastructure. Larger cities like Toronto, he explained, face additional layers of complexity that make implementation more challenging. Higher traffic volumes, layered governance, and older infrastructure make it more difficult to replicate Kirkland’s dramatic success. As Casello noted, while Toronto could benefit from adaptive signals, it won’t see the same “really large increases in performance.” 

For the Future Cities Institute, Casello’s analysis is a reminder that innovation cannot be separated from context. Scaling smart systems like AI traffic lights requires not just technology, but integrated planning, policy alignment, and cross-sector collaboration. By bringing research insights into public debates, FCI helps ensure that emerging tools are evaluated realistically and applied in ways that serve the long-term resilience of Canadian cities. 

Watch the full interview on CTV News: https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/ai-traffic-lights-helped-fix-a-quebec-towns-gridlock-an-expert-says-toronto-may-not-see-the-same-success/