San Jose cuts bus commute times 20% with AI traffic lights, hopes to become AI capital

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is positioning the Silicon Valley city as a leading AI capital by implementing artificial intelligence solutions in city operations and working to retain local tech talent. The initiative comes as San Jose already serves as a burgeoning AI hub, with the mayor now focusing on scaling successful pilot programs and integrating AI more deeply into government services.

What you should know: San Jose has successfully deployed AI-powered traffic optimization systems that have significantly improved public transportation efficiency.

• Nearly 150 stoplights across the city are equipped with AI tools designed to optimize bus routes and reduce commute times.
• The technology has enabled buses to run at higher speeds and reduced rider commute times by more than 20%.
• The AI system works by increasing the likelihood that buses will reach green traffic lights, creating smoother transit flows.

The big picture: San Jose is leveraging its position in Silicon Valley to become a model for AI integration in municipal government operations.

• Mayor Mahan is working to retain local AI talent that might otherwise migrate to other tech hubs.
• The city is using successful pilot programs as proof-of-concept for broader AI implementation across government services.
• San Jose’s approach focuses on practical applications that directly benefit residents through improved city services.

Why this matters: The traffic light optimization program demonstrates how AI can deliver measurable improvements in public services, with implications for cities worldwide looking to modernize their infrastructure.

What they’re saying: Mayor Mahan emphasized the connection between service quality and ridership growth in public transportation.

• “We know that what meaningfully drives up ridership levels is the frequency of the service, how often the buses come, and the speed of getting to your destination,” Mahan said.
• “A more than 20% improvement in commute times is a big deal,” he noted while announcing plans to scale the program citywide.

What’s next: The successful traffic optimization pilot will be expanded across San Jose’s entire municipal area as part of the mayor’s broader AI integration strategy.