SMARTER Partners with WNADA to deploy 5 SMART Intersections on Baltimore's North Avenue

The SMARTER Center has partnered with the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) to deploy five SMART Intersections along the Baltimore’s North Avenue corridor from Bloomingdale Road to Mt. Royal Avenue. In the coming months, SMARTER Researchers will work closely with the development authority, Baltimore City, and industry partners to provide the hardware and technical expertise needed to operate the system. 

This initiative advances WNADA's mixed-use development goals by incorporating innovative transportation technologies that enhance both pedestrian safety and traffic flow.

SMART Intersections combine LiDAR sensors and connected vehicle technology to collect real-time traffic data and capture interactions among pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. This data enables researchers to visualize road use patterns and analyze safety incidents like near-misses and red-light violations. With this information, transportation planners can implement targeted infrastructure improvements to traffic signal timing, lighting and visibility, bus stop placement, and traffic calming features. 

SMART Intersections can also prioritize transit vehicles and ambulances at traffic signals and deliver real-time safety alerts to connected vehicles within the system’s range.  

This project builds on the success of SMART Intersections at Morgan State University, which have enhanced campus shuttle services and provided insights into pedestrian behavior along the Hillen Road corridor. By streamlining traffic flow and reducing collisions, SMART Intersections have the potential to revitalize commercial hubs and create safer, more accessible streets for all.