AI cameras catch bus lane violators in Seattle

Seattle’s King County Metro has initiated a pilot program using AI-powered cameras on buses to monitor and document transit-only lane violations, marking a significant step in leveraging technology to improve public transportation efficiency.

Project overview: King County Metro has mounted AI cameras on two bus routes to collect data on drivers illegally using transit-only lanes, which are typically marked in red to distinguish them from regular traffic lanes.

• The 60-day demonstration program began November 6, focusing on the RapidRide E Line along Aurora Avenue North and Route 7 along Rainier Avenue South
• While no tickets will be issued during this pilot phase, the data will help assess the frequency of transit lane violations
• Two front-facing cameras installed inside bus windshields record 10-second clips of vehicles in bus lanes

Current enforcement landscape: Seattle already implements limited photo enforcement for transit lane violations, but the new initiative represents a significant expansion of these capabilities.

• Existing cameras are mounted at 11 locations citywide, primarily in the city’s core and on the West Seattle Bridge
• First-time violators currently receive warnings, while second offenses result in $75 tickets
• House Bill 2384, passed in 2024, broadened the state’s traffic camera enforcement rules and allowed non-police personnel to review footage

Technology implementation: The program utilizes sophisticated AI technology from Hayden AI, a San Francisco-based startup that specializes in transit enforcement solutions.

• The system creates detailed route maps including bus stops and lanes before deployment
• Machine learning capabilities help improve identification of lane obstructions over time
• The technology aims to reduce enforcement costs by minimizing human involvement

Impact on service reliability: Transit lane violations significantly affect bus service performance and safety on the pilot routes.

• Route 7 operates 256 weekday trips with 11,000 boardings but only achieves 73% on-time performance
• The E Line serves up to 15,000 daily riders with 278 weekday trips and 75% on-time performance
• Both routes experienced over 120 collisions with automobiles in 2023 and early 2024

National context: Several major U.S. cities have already implemented similar programs with promising results.

• New York City has issued over 438,000 violations since 2019 and expanded the program to all five boroughs
• Washington D.C.’s program saw violations drop from 20,000 to 13,000 per week as drivers adjusted behavior
• Los Angeles and Chicago have launched similar pilot programs, with Chicago also monitoring bike lane violations

Looking ahead: While the immediate future of enforcement remains uncertain, the pilot program represents a significant step toward improving transit efficiency and reliability.

• King County Metro will evaluate the results to determine whether to recommend a ticket-issuing program
• Any enforcement program would require coordination with local jurisdictions
• The initiative could help protect the county’s 87 miles of bus lanes, including 71 miles in Seattle

Future implications: The success of this pilot could transform how transit agencies approach lane enforcement, potentially creating a more efficient and self-regulating system that benefits both transit operators and passengers while encouraging proper use of dedicated transit infrastructure.