# Google wants to use AI to time traffic lights more efficiently Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2021-10-06 Category: BUSINESS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business Meta Title: Google Uses AI to Slash Traffic Delays in Israel Meta Description: Google successfully cut fuel use and traffic delays in Israel by 10% to 20% using artificial intelligence to optimize signal lights. The tech giant plans to URL: https://financedigest.com/google-wants-to-use-ai-to-time-traffic-lights-more-efficientlyhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/2021-10-06t072349z4lynxmpeh9506ertroptp4eu-alphabet-antitrust-1736837710878-compressed.jpg) By Paresh Dave (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s Google cut fuel use and traffic delays by 10% to 20% at four locations in Israel by using artificial intelligence to optimize signal lights and it next plans to test the software in Rio de Janeiro, the company said on Wednesday. The early-phase research project is among new software initiatives inside Google to combat climate change. Some employees https://medium.com/@googworkersac/ruth-porat-497bbb841b52 as well as advocacy [groups have called](https://www.financedigest.com/virtual-accounts-leading-payment-expert-calls-for-major-changes-in-wolfsberg-group-guidance-around-on-behalf-of-payments.html "Virtual Accounts: leading payment expert calls for major changes in Wolfsberg Group guidance around “On behalf of” payments") on the company, the world’s third-most valuable, to more urgently use its influence to combat the crisis. While Google has not addressed critics’ calls to stop selling technology to [oil companies or funding](https://www.financedigest.com/oiling-the-wheels-for-a-smooth-funding-cycle.html "OILING THE WHEELS FOR A SMOOTH FUNDING CYCLE") lawmakers who deny global warming, it has prioritized sustainability features. Google plans in the coming weeks to allow its Nest thermostat users to [buy renewable energy](https://www.financedigest.com/varo-energy-buys-80-of-dutch-biogas-firm-aims-to-double-capacity-by-2026.html "Varo Energy buys 80% of Dutch biogas firm; aims to double capacity by 2026") credits for $10 a month to offset emissions from heating and cooling. Credits will come from projects in Texas including Bethel [Wind Farm](https://www.financedigest.com/dutch-wind-farm-blows-away-opposition-as-new-millers-get-a-stake.html "Dutch wind farm blows away opposition as ‘new millers’ get a stake") and Roseland Solar. A majority of the [funds will go toward credit](https://www.financedigest.com/credit-suisse-to-repay-further-750-million-to-greensill-linked-fund-investors.html "Credit Suisse to repay further 0 million to Greensill-linked fund investors") purchases and utility-bill payment costs, Google said, without elaborating on the remainder. For no charge across the United States, Nest users soon can automatically shift [heating and cooling to times when energy](https://www.financedigest.com/analysis-forget-showering-its-eat-or-heat-for-shocked-europeans-hit-by-energy-crisis.html "Analysis-Forget showering, it’s eat or heat for shocked Europeans hit by energy crisis") is cleaner. New informational panels alongside search [results show emissions or other environmental ratings of flights globally](https://www.financedigest.com/will-global-commodities-suffer-as-a-result-of-brexit-the-experts-at-easymarkets-think-not.html "WILL GLOBAL COMMODITIES SUFFER AS A RESULT OF BREXIT? THE EXPERTS AT EASYMARKETS THINK NOT!") and cars and home appliances in the United States. To stem misinformation, English, [Spanish and French queries mentioning “climate change” starting this month](https://www.financedigest.com/spanish-manufacturing-output-down-for-6th-straight-month-in-dec-pmi.html "Spanish manufacturing output down for 6th straight month in Dec -PMI") will feature explanations from the United Nations. Based on early results in Israel’s Haifa and Beer-Sheva, Rio de Janeiro’s municipal traffic authority expressed high hopes for the AI to better [time traffic signal changes](https://www.financedigest.com/a-time-of-change-how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-insurance.html "A time of change – how artificial intelligence is transforming insurance"). It told Reuters the system should be [introduced within months with locations announced](https://www.financedigest.com/openport-announces-joint-venture-with-xvc-logistics-to-introduce-blockchain-enabled-proof-of-delivery-and-rewards-program.html "OpenPort Announces Joint Venture with XVC Logistics to Introduce Blockchain-Enabled Proof of Delivery and Rewards Program") soon. Aleksandar Stevanovic, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at University of Pittsburgh, said simulations show AI could smooth traffic flow. But he questioned whether a tech [company without traffic engineering expertise ultimately](https://www.financedigest.com/ultimate-growth-for-sme-finance-company.html "Ultimate growth for SME finance company") could bring such software to reality. “Every year there is someone new claiming we can do wonders,” he said. (Reporting by Paresh Dave; Additional reporting by Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Stephen Coates) --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---