Tribune News Service — North Texas cities are using an AI traffic management system in preparation for the World Cup.
Various intersections across Arlington and Dallas have been optimized to use a system called NoTraffic AI, an Israeli-based traffic management system installed on traffic lights. It uses radar and live-stream video technology to detect and differentiate between vehicle types, cyclists and pedestrians in any kind of weather conditions.
NoTraffic AI technology tracks objects at intersections to help cities create timing plans for traffic systems and decrease congestion.
“Using artificial intelligence, we can now start tracking if there are other people [at the intersection], cars, trucks, buses and how many of them,” said Tom Cooper, vice president of sales. “It gives a lot more intelligence to the intersection.”
Cooper said the company does not store personal or identifiable information, such as facial recognition or license plates, and focuses more on the “operational improvement side of things.”
Arlington was the first North Texas city to use NoTraffic AI, piloting and later adopting the program in 2023. The city started using the system at the intersection of Cooper Street and Main Street to help reduce traffic congestion.
“One of the main reasons we decided to deploy it in the entertainment district is because of [the 2023] World Series parade,” said Chris Funches, Arlington city traffic engineer. “We grossly underprojected the number of people coming into Arlington and into the entertainment district for the parade... We were planning for about 300,000... that number was three to four times more.”
The city of Arlington utilizes the traffic management system to determine how many people, both in cars and on foot, are moving through the entertainment district’s intersections. The system can automatically adjust and make necessary signal changes to keep traffic flowing efficiently.
Funches said the city will be rolling out new features of NoTraffic AI in either June or July to help further optimize the Matlock Road corridor this summer during the World Cup. The city will use the detection system’s data to create a timing plan based on the volume of traffic and vehicle classification provided.
“This is something we’re really excited about because typically we have to hire a consultant to come in, get that data, go and do field research,” Funches said. “To be able to have that data right there at our fingertips, and for them to be able to process it, we’re taking weeks or months off of a process and doing it in a vastly reduced timeframe.”
Dallas has only two private locations testing the NoTraffic AI system: the 4200 block of Singleton Boulevard and the intersection of Browder Street/AT&T Garage and Wood Street. The system was implemented last month and is being tested to see if the program will be adopted across other traffic lights and intersections prior to the World Cup.
Cooper estimates the cost of installation for the system on each traffic light to be “in the mid-$20,000 range.”
“The city continually explores new technologies and detection systems to ensure we are utilizing the best possible tools to support our transportation system,” said Nicholas Starling, manager of public information for the city of Dallas.
© 2026 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
North Texas Cities Are Using AI to Help With Traffic
What to Know:
- Arlington and Dallas are using an AI traffic system called NoTraffic AI to help manage intersections ahead of the World Cup.
- The system uses radar and live video to detect vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians so cities can adjust signal timing and reduce congestion.
- Arlington has already adopted the technology and plans to expand its use this summer, while Dallas is testing it at two locations before deciding on broader deployment.
