The system developed by the TU Graz and the municipal department 33 (Public Lighting) differs significantly from a simple motion sensor. While such a system would switch to green even when any other object would pass it, the traffic light camera detects not only people but also whether there is a desire to cross or not. In addition to traffic lights with pedestrian recognition, there are also efforts in the City of Vienna to make the traffic light system as a whole smarter and more flexible. This is to be achieved by interconnecting all traffic lights. This allows individual traffic lights to communicate with each other and to resolve unpredictable traffic jams caused by accidents or construction sites quicker. Traffic light phases can thus adapt to the actual traffic situation, thereby improving the traffic flow and reducing emissions.
