The Toulouse metropolitan area is embarking on an innovative project aimed at improving urban traffic management using artificial intelligence. By testing adaptive traffic lights and green waves, and promoting soft mobility, the city seeks to combine efficiency, safety, and an ecological transition. This approach responds to population growth and increased mobility, even though the city is not yet among the most congested according to the TomTom 2024 ranking. The installed intelligent systems analyze traffic in real time, optimizing traffic flow and prioritizing public transportation and emergency services, with the aim of reducing traffic jams and improving residents’ well-being. Interview: In Toulouse, Artificial Intelligence at the Service of IntersectionsAs part of its agenda for ecological transition and improving urban traffic, the Toulouse metropolitan area is testing an innovative approach using artificial intelligence to manage intersections. This experiment, aimed at smoothing traffic flow while favoring soft mobility approaches, aims to strike a balance between efficient traffic management and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.The motivation behind the initiative Toulouse, a rapidly expanding metropolis, is facing a significant increase in its mobility needs. Despite a traffic situation that is not yet critical according to the TomTom 2024 report, the city must anticipate and meet the challenge of reducing traffic congestion. The solution being explored combines the use of artificial intelligence with informed human decisions, complemented by the expertise of the technicians at the Traffic Campus. Using artificial intelligence for intersectionsThe strategy is based on optimizing traffic light cycles through reactive analysis Traffic control is carried out by devices installed at key intersections, such as those on the Route de Narbonne. These devices ensure a fair distribution of green light times, particularly during periods of high traffic density. During such peaks, they also give priority to buses and emergency services. Complementary to existing initiatives The metropolis does not rely solely on artificial intelligence. In addition, three experiments are underway: the integration of smart traffic lights, the development of green waves to synchronize traffic lights along linear axes, and the elimination of certain lights where possible. These initiatives aim not only to streamline traffic flow but also to improve quality of life and reduce environmental impact.The future of boulevards and intersections Toulouse’s major boulevards require a balanced approach to maintain traffic flow. Although some intersections are controlled by traffic lights, which sometimes slows traffic, neighborhood committees, such as the one in Les Chalets, have expressed the need to add traffic lights to moderate vehicle speeds.Diversity of Transportation Modes In addition to intersection management, the city advocates for a diversification of transportation modes. This includes promoting public transportation as well as alternative modes of transportation such as cycling and walking, particularly in central areas of the city.