The initiative uses artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise traffic light timings, analysing data from 561 signalised intersections to adjust green, yellow and red lights according to real-time traffic conditions, reports the Bangkok Post.
Sayan Thasanakosol, director of the BMA’s Traffic Engineering Office, said: “Each intersection requires multiple tests to determine the ideal signal durations. We collect data, Google analyses it and we adjust the signals. So far, the results at the first 55 intersections have improved traffic flow by 80–90%.”
He said the AI system cannot replace human oversight but is a tool to make traffic management smarter. “It’s about taking the guesswork out of traffic control. Every junction has its own rhythm, and AI helps us find it.”
Traditionally, Bangkok’s traffic lights operate in two ways: fixed timing, which anticipates traffic volume and manual mode, where officers adjust signals in response to congestion. “AI allows us to go beyond both,” Mr Sayan said. “We start with intersections where traffic moves but can be optimised. The most congested junctions during rush hour come later, after we refine the model.”
Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon, who oversees Project Green Light, believes the AI approach could transform the city’s roads. “Many intersections still run on fixed schedules that don’t respond to sudden surges. With AI, the system analyses traffic in real time, adjusting green and red durations to keep cars moving and reduce idling. It also lowers greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.”
The global reach of Project Green Light underscores its potential. Cities from Seattle and Boston to Jakarta, Bangalore, Haifa, Hamburg, Budapest and Abu Dhabi have similar systems. Early results suggest AI can reduce vehicle stops by 30% and greenhouse gas emissions by 10% - a boon for both drivers and the environment, he said.
Traffic officers, freed from manually controlling every junction, welcome the change. “In rush hours, we used to have to release traffic on main roads for minutes while side streets waited,” one police traffic officer said. “It was a constant balancing act, and sometimes personal bias crept in. AI doesn’t care about who’s in which lane - it just smooths the flow. But it’s crucial the data feeding the system reflects real conditions. We’ve tested it repeatedly to ensure accuracy.”
Commuters are cautiously optimistic. Waiwit Thongthongkam, a 52-year-old office worker, said, “It’s a good idea, but public transport must also be affordable and accessible. Otherwise, people will keep using private cars and congestion won’t change.”
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt sees the project as part of a broader vision for Bangkok. “Over the past three years, our ‘9 Good 9 Opportunities’ policy has leveraged technology and collaboration to build a more liveable city. The AI Steering Committee ensures these tools are used effectively, particularly in traffic management, reducing congestion and improving life for residents,” he said.
As Bangkok’s streets gradually adopt AI-driven signals, drivers may finally experience smoother commutes and cleaner air. For the city’s millions, Project Green Light is not just about faster travel - it’s about transforming Bangkok into a smarter, more sustainable metropolis.