Two cities in the Los Angeles area, Santa Monica and West Hollywood, have deployed Hayden AI’s automated transit enforcement platform. The platform will address illegally parked vehicles obstructing bus lanes and bus stops in the Los Angeles area.

The two cities join the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Culver City in using Hayden AI’s platform for public transportation.

The Hayden platform employs AI in bus-mounted cameras to detect and record illegal parking violations that obstruct bus lanes, bus stops, bike lanes, and double parking. The technology is already employed in cities including New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Oakland, and Sacramento.

Research has shown that keeping bus lanes clear can speed up bus travel times by 20-28% during peak hours, boosting passenger numbers by 2-9%.

For Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus, the roll-out follows a 2023 pilot programme where Hayden AI technology was tested on two buses. It found 7.7 violations per bus per day, amounting to 606 violations in 45 days.

“Santa Monica and West Hollywood are leading the way in adopting transformative technology to make public transportation safer and more reliable,” said Charley Territo, Chief Growth Officer of Hayden AI. “Our bus-mounted camera platform is helping cities across Southern California eliminate obstacles to smoother bus operations. We’re proud to bring these benefits to Big Blue Bus and Metro riders in West Hollywood, helping to keep their routes clear and their commutes hassle-free.”

“The implementation of automated enforcement advances Big Blue Bus’s commitment to providing equitable access to efficient and reliable transportation and supports Santa Monica’s broader strategic priority of clean streets and safe neighbourhoods. Bus lane disruption disproportionately impacts individuals who rely on public transportation, particularly seniors, students, persons with disabilities, and those with limited access to private vehicles,” said Santa Monica’s Director of Transportation, Anuj Gupta. “Even a single vehicle blocking a bus lane can lead to significant delays, missed connections, and frustration for riders who depend on our service. By ensuring bus lanes remain clear, we enhance the efficiency of our multimodal transportation network and keep Santa Monica’s residents and visitors moving safely, efficiently, and comfortably.”