The City of Charleston is moving forward with the implementation of AI-enabled traffic signal technology along the Calhoun Street corridor in an effort to improve traffic flow and enhance safety on one of the peninsula’s busiest streets.
The project is supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program. City officials said residents and visitors may begin noticing changes in traffic patterns and signal timing as adaptive signal technology and camera-based detection systems are activated.
Mayor William Cogswell joined Deputy Assistant Secretary Lee White of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, City Councilmember Mike Seekings and representatives from Medical University of South Carolina at Marion Square to highlight the federal-local partnership behind the project.
Calhoun Street carries nearly 20,000 vehicles per day and serves as a primary east-west route across the Charleston peninsula, connecting neighborhoods, schools, businesses and major institutions, including MUSC and the College of Charleston.
According to city data, 754 crashes were recorded along the corridor between 2013 and 2018, including 156 injury crashes and two fatalities. During that same period, 40 crashes involved pedestrians or bicyclists, resulting in 36 injuries and one fatality.
“These numbers are not just statistics — they represent lives disrupted and families impacted,” Cogswell said. “The status quo is not acceptable. Through our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, we are investing in smart, real-time technology that will improve mobility and make this critical corridor safer for everyone who depends on it.”
The upgraded system replaces traditional fixed-timing signals with adaptive technology that adjusts signal timing in real time based on traffic conditions, including vehicle volumes, pedestrian crossings and bicycle activity. City officials said the system is designed to reduce congestion, improve travel times and minimize conflict points.
As the system is calibrated, drivers may notice signals adjusting differently than in the past. Officials said the technology will continue to refine operations as additional data is collected.
Deputy Assistant Secretary White said Charleston’s project reflects the SMART Grant program’s emphasis on data-driven transportation solutions aimed at improving safety and mobility.
City leaders said the combination of federal funding and local implementation is intended to modernize infrastructure along Calhoun Street and improve conditions for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.