| dc.description.abstract | The horrific road crash that claimed the lives of 11 Kenyatta University students in the Maungu area near Voi town last week, has brought many questions as to how we can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to save many lives on our roads. AI holds significant potential in mitigating road accidents by using huge amounts of data dispensed daily from our roads. Many Asian and European countries such as Germany, Japan and China, are already using this technology, which has significantly reduced their road accidents to less than one percent annually.
How can we harness the power of AI as a solution? AI applied a predictive analytics approach by using algorithms capable of analysing historical accident data, weather conditions, road infrastructure and major cities like Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa traffic patterns, to predict high-risk areas and times for accidents. This information can be used to deploy preventive measures such as increased policing, road maintenance or traffic control on high-risk roads.
While Safaricom installed CCTV cameras on some major highways, such as Thika Superhighway and Mombasa Road, they have had little impact on reducing road carnage. We can replace them with AI-powered sensors and cameras installed on vehicles that can detect pedestrians and cyclists near the vehicles, alerting the driver to their presence and potentially preventing collisions | en_US |
