Purpose of the Smart Sensor Demonstration Project

The Smart Sensor Demonstration Project will help transportation partners improve roadway operations and safety for transit riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers. Intercity Transit, in partnership with the City of Lacey and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), will test AI-enabled smart sensors to identify safety issues and inform decisions that improve road safety for everyone.

The demonstration will evaluate the technology’s accuracy, efficiency, reliability, and potential for broader use.

How the Smart Sensors Work
The sensors use cameras and artificial intelligence to analyze traffic activity and detect events such as near-misses and collisions. The system uses this visual input to generate anonymous data, which is analyzed through machine learning tools to identify patterns and trends that inform operational and safety improvements. The focus is on system-level insights—not individual incidents.

What the Sensors Do Not Capture
The technology is designed with strict privacy protections and does not collect personal information:

  • No facial recognition
  • No license plate reading
  • No individual tracking

These capabilities are not enabled or used as part of this project and are not part of how the system is configured or operated.

What Data Is Collected
The system collects roadway safety data, including near-misses, collisions, pedestrian and vehicle safety concerns, speeds, delays, traffic counts, queues, and general traffic movement.

The system records short (approximately 15-second) video clips only when safety-related events are detected. These clips are used solely to validate system data for accuracy and are deleted after a ten-day retention period. The system is configured and operated for safety analysis only and is not used for live monitoring, surveillance, enforcement, or identifying individuals.

Built-In Privacy Safeguards

Sensors will be mounted high above intersections and use wide-angle lenses that limit the capture of identifiable details. The “fish-eye” perspective maximizes coverage but is not suited for facial recognition or license plate reading. The system is configured for broad, intersection-level observation and not for zooming in on individuals or specific vehicles.

All data is anonymous, secure, and limited to authorized project partners.

Access to Safety Data
Intercity Transit, WSDOT, and the City of Lacey will have access to the safety data, limited to select project staff. Video used for validation will be stored separately and may be accessed by project consultants only when needed to verify system accuracy.

Where Sensors Will Be Located
Smart sensors will be installed at 10 intersections near the Lacey Transit Center and along Martin Way. While mounted on City of Lacey infrastructure, the sensors will operate independently and will not connect to other City systems or equipment.

Project Timeline
Installation is planned for May, and the demonstration project will run through November 2026.