Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Thursday, May 14, 2026 7:37 p.m. / Updated Thursday, May 14, 2026 8:07 p.m.
Bucharest is preparing for a major change in terms of road traffic. At the proposal of Mayor Ciprian Ciucu, the feasibility studies and technical-economic indicators for the modernization of 92 intersections and pedestrian crossings with smart traffic lights were voted on in the General Council meeting.
Also, the smart traffic lights will have a command center on the ground floor of the building where the Bucharest Municipal Integrated Center for Emergency Situations operates.
Bucharest is being filled with smart traffic lights: 92 intersections and pedestrian crossings will be modernized in the first stage
The first stage is the installation of 305 cameras and 1,500 sensors to monitor intersection activity and operate smart traffic lights. The implementation period of this project is 14 months.
The second stage is the setting up of the command center from where the traffic lights will be supervised. The works will last approximately 8 months, according to the cited source. After the first two stages will be completed, the third stage will follow, which consists in the modernization of another 185 intersections and pedestrian crossings, and the final step is the modernization of the last 270 intersections and pedestrian crossings, according to an official statement posted by Bucharest City Hall on social networks.
The main advantages? PMB called them: streamlining traffic, reducing pollution and optimizing public transport.
Important step for the intelligent traffic light system in Bucharest!
The feasibility studies and the technical-economic indicators for the modernization of the first 92 intersections and pedestrian crossings and the setting up of the command center were voted, at the proposal of the mayor Ciprian Ciucu, in yesterday's meeting of the General Council.
WHAT THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF
The first stage of the project means the modernization of 92 intersections and pedestrian crossings. We will install 305 cameras and 1,500 sensors, plus all the technology necessary for the proper functioning of the system. The implementation period is 14 months, including installation and commissioning.
The second stage refers to setting up the command center. It will be located on the ground floor of the building where the Bucharest Municipal Integrated Center for Emergency Situations operates. The works will last 8 months.
TWO MORE STAGES FOLLOW
We will tackle the rest of the intersections after completing the first two phases:
Modernization of another 185 intersections and pedestrian crossings;
Modernization of the last 270 intersections and pedestrian crossings.
– the PMB press release
What does intelligent traffic light mean?
“The intersections will be equipped with magnetometric sensors in the asphalt, but also on the poles, video cameras equipped with modern functions and artificial intelligence programs, automatic traffic controllers, and for pedestrians, buttons and acoustic devices.
It will be a complex AI system that synchronizes traffic lights, adjusts traffic light times based on the number of cars and makes decisions on its own based on traffic metrics.
In addition, he will know how to prioritize public transport, so that buses and trolleybuses arrive at the stations according to the schedule”, the PMB press release states.
