Computer Scientist’s AI Traffic Solution Earns Award

An Intelligent Way to Ease Traffic

By: David Broder

July 26,2026

In today’s rapidly evolving Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), traditional systems for controlling traffic signals are often inadequate in optimizing real-time traffic flow due to their dependency on preset schedules and lack of adaptability to dynamically changing traffic signal phases. These systems cannot analyze dynamic signal timing changes, especially at multiple intersections, resulting in inefficient vehicle flow, longer queues, and higher levels of congestion. Thus, the need arises to develop intelligent systems capable of optimizing traffic flow in real time, reducing delays, and addressing the growing challenges of intelligent transportation systems.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are becoming increasingly vital in addressing the growing challenges of vehicle congestion in urban environments. Traffic signal control plays a crucial role in enhancing vehicle flow and mitigating queues at intersections.

UTD Smart 20 Winner

A University of Texas at Dallas researcher’s pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) technology to reduce traffic delays and emissions developed in collaboration with the city of Richardson was named a Smart 20 Award winner and one of the top three projects at the 2025 Smart Cities Connect Spring Conference and Expo.

The SMART 20 AWARDS, presented in March in Raleigh, North Carolina, recognized innovative and influential global smart cities projects.

Dr. Rym Zalila-Wenkstern, a professor of computer science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and director of the Smart Cities Applied Research Lab, and her team developed the patented DALI (Distributed, Agent-Based Traffic Lights) Nexus, which transforms traffic signals into a collaborative network.

Unlike traditional systems that rely on static timing plans, DALI Nexus uses artificial intelligence software “agents” to monitor real-time activity at intersections, exchange data across the network and optimize signal timing dynamically.

DALI Nexus also provides real-time traffic insights and safety alerts to road users, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, through a mobile app.

The app provides customized information, such as signal timing, recommended crossing speeds and safety alerts tailored to the user’s mode of travel.

The app, for example, can communicate that a pedestrian needs to cross to inform signal timing decisions.

In a pilot project deployed at 15 intersections, the system reduced traffic delays by an average of 40% at fixed-timing intersections, which use preset intervals.

DALI Nexus reduced traffic delays at intersections using coordinated, or synchronized, timing by 25% to 30%.

The UT Dallas research team has worked closely with the city’s Transportation and Mobility Department to integrate the DALI technology with the city’s existing infrastructure.

The proposed next phase would expand DALI Nexus to 50 signals throughout the city.

“The benefits we’ve seen from the integration of this software are next level for our transportation system, and we are witnessing the future of traffic management here in Richardson,” City Manager Don Magner , said. “We are excited about continuing this partnership with UT Dallas and seeing the extent of its benefits to congestion and safety.”