Video-based red-light enforcement is offering cities a cost-effective, infrastructure-light route to safer intersections
Intersections, especially in urban areas, are among the most dangerous areas on the road. According to a 2025 European Commission case study, 19% of all traffic fatalities occur at intersections, and more than half of these (62%) involve vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The situation is further intensified by the growing density of traffic at intersections which increases the risk of accidents. To address this situation, a solution that can be implemented on a large scale is needed. Specifically, one that captures the main causes of traffic accidents such as red light violations and thereby has a deterrent effect by changing dangerous driving behaviour.
Vitronic’s Poliscan Redlight VA solution helps cities and authorities to promote traffic safety and compliance with traffic rules at intersections. The enforcement system combines state-of-the-art video technology with powerful AI-based applications such as vehicle tracking and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition). This enables it to automatically identify all vehicles approaching an intersection and reliably detect when they cross the stop line during a red light phase.
However, the solution goes beyond red light offences; it also captures other violations that could lead to serious accidents, such as blocking intersections or endangering vulnerable road users by driving over pedestrian crossings. This comprehensive traffic monitoring system is rounded off by conclusive documentation of violations, including photos and videos, and the security transfer of cases in one signed file.
Efficient, practical traffic safety
The best system is only as good as its feasibility – and this is precisely where Poliscan Redlight VA scores particularly well. Traditionally, monitoring red light violations has been carried out using induction loop measurement systems, which require costly structural changes to the existing infrastructure. The video-based technology eliminates the need for detectors in the road and can be mounted on existing poles, walls, or cantilever arms. This avoids costly permits and construction work, significantly reducing the investment costs for traffic monitoring.
In addition, the contactless system is flexible to use. Thanks to its simple plug-and-play installation and setup, it can be used at a wide variety of locations, from small intersections to more complex ones, and even at railroad crossings. Moreover, the budget-friendly solution allows for easy relocation to new sites with minimal adjustment costs.
Developed for real-world practice
The performance of Poliscan Redlight VA is more than just theory; it has been proven in practice. The solution was originally developed for the Austrian Ministry of the Interior and its police directorates. They were looking for an effective and cost-efficient solution to increase road safety at road and rail intersections. Vitronic’s system met the requirements and led to a noticeable reduction in red-light violations. This effect was seen across multiple deployments at road and rail intersections – including sites operated by regional authorities, cities, and private railway companies in Austria – demonstrating the effectiveness of the solution in real-world environments.
The AI-supported solution is trained using traffic data and can increasingly detect more complex situations at intersections and railroad crossings. This makes the Poliscan Redlight VA system a forward-looking response to the evolving challenges of ensuring traffic safety.
