Moscow Explains How Trams Coordinate With Smart Traffic Lights
In 2026, AI is expected to manage traffic across an entire Moscow neighborhood.
Moscow plans to upgrade its tram fleet this year, expand the use of artificial intelligence in transportation, and launch new routes connecting the city with surrounding regions. The initiatives were discussed at a meeting of the presidium of the Moscow city government.
In 2026, the city plans to increase the number of autonomous trams to 15 and open a second tram diameter line. Authorities also intend to expand AI deployment. A pilot project is planned in the Tushino district that would use neural networks to manage traffic across an entire neighborhood—an initiative city officials say would be the first of its kind in the world. Currently, about 70 percent of Moscow’s traffic lights are connected to AI systems that play a key role in improving road safety.
Traffic Lights Give Trams Priority
Tamerlan Salim, head of the Intelligent Transport System Development Department at Moscow’s Traffic Management Center, explained how trams coordinate with smart traffic lights. When a tram approaches an intersection, the system detects it and sends a signal to the traffic light, which then switches to green. This system has increased the speed at which trams pass through intersections by 20 percent.
Earlier reports noted that the city of Perm has begun deploying smart traffic lights equipped with sensors that respond to pedestrian movement. The system detects approaching pedestrians and automatically switches the signal to green, eliminating the need to press a crossing button.
