AI traffic cameras bring early safety and congestion gains to Hanoi

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s AI-powered traffic camera system has delivered early gains in road safety, congestion reduction and driver compliance after one month of operation, the Hanoi Public Security Department said.

Between December 13, 2025 and January 12, 2026, the system captured thousands of images and video clips that provided clear legal evidence for automated traffic enforcement, marking a key step in the capital’s digital traffic management drive.

The results come after 1,837 AI-powered cameras were officially deployed across 25 major roads and 195 key intersections on December 13, 2025, forming part of Hanoi Traffic Police’s digital transformation roadmap.

Data shows the system recorded 6,351 violations eligible for automated enforcement, with red-light offenses accounting for 66.36% and helmet violations 32.32%. Motorcycles made up the majority of cases.

Authorities said violations are handled objectively and transparently through digital platforms, strengthening deterrence and prevention.

The application of smart signal control has reduced travel times by 20%-36% and increased vehicle throughput at intersections by 8%-19%, helping ease congestion at several traffic hotspots. Comparisons with the same period before deployment showed traffic volumes increased at all intersections using AI-based signal control.

At the core of the system is the Smart Traffic Light Controller, which creates coordinated green waves along major corridors. The platform can automatically detect up to 28 common traffic violations, including running red lights, driving against traffic, illegal parking and helmet violations, while prioritizing emergency and special-purpose vehicles.

Authorities have also observed noticeable improvements in driver behavior, with more motorists stopping correctly behind stop lines and fewer cases of crowding or deliberate encroachment at intersections.

Beyond traffic violations, the AI camera system has also been used to handle issues related to urban order and environmental sanitation, including sidewalk encroachment and improper waste disposal.

Colonel Pham Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, told the Vietnam Government Portal that the AI camera system has encouraged more civilized urban behavior while helping reduce congestion at major junctions.

"The AI camera system gives priority to prevention over punishment, aiming to promote voluntary and sustainable law compliance. We will keep operating the system alongside legal awareness campaigns, particularly during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday and major national events," said Huy.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Dao Viet Long, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Traffic Police Division, the system uses eight-megapixel cameras operating at 50 frames per second, automatically analyzing images and storing data centrally for up to 75 days.

The AI camera system can automatically detect and process up to 23 types of traffic violations. It can also recognize license plates and accurately record violations, significantly reducing the need for traffic police to be deployed directly on the streets.

Long said that compared with conventional surveillance cameras, AI cameras can analyze and process images directly at the device level, enabling faster and more accurate detection of traffic safety violations as well as situations related to public order and security.

AI cameras can automatically count traffic flows, connect with and adjust traffic signal cycles in real time to reduce congestion and accurately capture and transmit violation data to the command center.

"AI camera systems are seen as playing a critical role in ensuring road safety and order to address Hanoi's biggest traffic challenges," Long stressed.