Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Launch AI-Powered Traffic Control Center

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is set to modernize its urban management by the end of this year. The city’s Mobility Department has announced the launch of a new Control Center, which will replace outdated facilities from the 1990s with advanced artificial intelligence and data analysis tools.

The project, backed by a 1.5 million euro budget, will be housed in a building on Calle Antequera. The upgrade goes beyond a simple renovation; the city has contracted firms Kapsch TrafficCom and Tekia to install a high-tech network of fiber optics, sensors, and high-precision cameras.

This investment aims to improve traffic flow through real-time data processing. Unlike older systems that focus primarily on vehicle movement, this new digital architecture will dynamically adjust traffic light timings based on pedestrian density at intersections. The technology will also monitor loading zones, parking spaces for people with reduced mobility, and regulated parking areas, while ensuring priority access for public transport and emergency vehicles.

Additionally, the City Council plans to introduce a "digital twin" system. This tool will allow technicians to run predictive simulations on potential road changes—such as lane closures or new traffic directions—to see how they might impact the city before making any physical adjustments.

To support these efforts, the city is investing an additional 3.5 million euros this year to maintain signage, bollards, and the existing traffic light network. Through these initiatives, Santa Cruz de Tenerife aims to become a "smart city," using data to reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety for everyone.