AI Steps In to Keep Pedestrians Safe

Smart Crosswalks, Smarter Cities

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, officials are turning to artificial intelligence to improve pedestrian safety in high-traffic zones. With help from cutting-edge AI systems paired with existing surveillance cameras, the city can now detect when people are entering crosswalks—and whether vehicles are following traffic laws. These smart systems collect real-time data to identify hotspots where pedestrian violations or near-misses are common, enabling city planners to make more informed decisions about where to improve infrastructure. It’s a high-tech approach to reducing accidents before they happen.

AI as a Watchful Guardian

The city has partnered with the company Numina, which focuses on AI-based urban data solutions without compromising individual privacy. The cameras don’t record faces or store personally identifiable information; instead, they track patterns related to pedestrian and vehicle movements to deliver anonymized insights. The intention is to flag risky intersections and ultimately recommend changes like speed bumps, new signage, or adjusted walk times at crosswalks. The move signals a growing trend of using AI not for flashy gadgets, but for real-world public safety.