AI-based accident prediction system to be installed on AP-7 highway

A new Artificial Intelligence-run system will be installed between the southern municipality of El Vendrell and the northern one of Granollers on the AP-7 highway by the Catalan transportation service (SCT).  

The prediction system in place throughout 100 kilometers on the AP-7 will study which area has recorded the highest number of accidents with serious injuries in order to identify risk areas. 

The AI tool can predict "intensities and speeds with a reliability of between 90 and 95%," the SCT director, Ramon Lamiel, said. 

In the future, experts plan to incorporate other variables such as road geometry. 

Lamiel presented this AI system in a press conference on Monday with a series of measures to prevent accidents on the Catalan road network.  

"A good system to reduce accidents," Lamiel said, are mobile speed cameras. Six new ones will be installed throughout Catalonia, to be positioned at 150 different danger areas. The four already in place fined 110,000 drivers in 2024. 

The SCT would also like to establish a variable speed limit system to improve safety on the C-58 road. 

Catalan roads accidents 

180 people have died on Catalan roads in 2024, with 21% less accidents than in 2023.  

C-37 is the road with the highest number of accidents this year followed by the C-25. On the other hand, the AP-7's fatalities rate has decreased over the past three years. 

Half of the deaths in traffic accidents occur on weekends or holidays. On roads connecting municipalities, almost 50% of the deaths happen in the afternoons. To avoid such figures, the Catalan traffic agency is planning to reinforce police patrols during those critical moments. 

Most of the victims in 2024 were people between 45 and 64 years old. Authorities also reported an increased number of deaths among those aged between 65 and 74. 

Public awareness campaigns will be carried out to provide elderly citizens renewing their license with information, the SCT announced. 

The SCT has set itself the goal of lowering the number of deaths in road traffic accidents to 87 for 2030.