Chicago buses deploy AI cameras to catch illegal lane parkers

Chicago Transit Authority buses will begin using AI-powered cameras to catch drivers illegally parked in bus and bike lanes starting Wednesday. The Chicago Department of Transportation will review captured video footage to issue warnings or fines, aiming to reduce traffic backups and improve bus boarding accessibility for passengers.

What you should know: The new AI camera system represents an expansion of existing enforcement technology already deployed on other city vehicles.
• The cameras automatically detect when vehicles are parked in restricted bus or bike lanes and capture video evidence for review.
• The Chicago Department of Transportation handles the review process and determines whether to issue warnings or fines based on the footage.

Why this matters: Illegal parking in bus lanes creates cascading traffic problems that extend beyond simple rule violations.
• Drivers parking in bus lanes force buses to merge into traffic, creating backups and delays for all road users.
• The blocking of designated lanes also impacts people’s ability to safely board and exit buses at designated stops.

The rollout: This technology deployment follows successful testing on other municipal vehicles before expanding to CTA buses.
• The cameras will initially be installed on select buses as part of the pilot program.
• The system builds on Chicago’s existing automated enforcement infrastructure for traffic violations.