Smart Traffic Management System for Smart Cities with Emergency Prioritization

Abstract

As urban populations continue to grow, the demand for efficient traffic management in smart cities becomes increasingly pressing. Traditional traffic lights, with fixed timing sequences, often lead to unnecessary delays for motorists and fail to accommodate vehicle priorities. This paper proposes a Smart Traffic Management System (STMS) tailored for smart cities, focusing on emergency prioritization. The system integrates a microcontroller, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and infrared (IR) sensors, and responds dynamically based on the nature of the vehicle and lane congestion. Emergency Vehicles (EVs) such as Ambulances and Fire trucks are given priority through the RFID setup while sensors track the number of vehicles on each lane. Leveraging sensor networks and intelligent algorithms, the STMS dynamically adjusts traffic signals and communicates with emergency services to ensure swift response times during critical situations. Through simulation studies and real-world implementation, the effectiveness and scalability of the proposed STMS are evaluated, demonstrating its potential to enhance urban mobility, reduce congestion, and improve emergency response capabilities in smart cities