Technology
Berwick Plans AI Traffic Tools and Smart Sensors Through 2027
City planners list AI traffic tools, sensor grids and energy monitors for phased launches through 2027.
How we reported this
Berwick released its 2027 smart city roadmap on July 10, listing concrete products such as an AI-driven traffic signal system and a network of air-quality sensors that will roll out first in the Riverside District.
The timing follows months of budget reviews that tied technology upgrades to daily costs residents already face, from longer commute delays on River Street to rising utility bills in older apartment blocks. Officials want measurable drops in those expenses rather than broad promises.
The Berwick Tech Alliance, based at 142 Innovation Lane, will supply the first batch of traffic controllers. A separate pilot at Harbour Quay will test waste-bin sensors that alert collection crews only when bins reach capacity. Both sites were chosen because they sit on major commuter routes and already carry existing fibre connections installed in 2024.
Traffic and mobility products
The traffic system uses cameras and vehicle counters at 18 intersections between River Street and Elm Avenue. It adjusts light timing every 90 seconds based on live counts. City documents project the change will cut average morning delays by 22 percent once fully active in March 2027. A companion mobile app will let drivers see predicted wait times at those same lights starting in January.
Energy monitors form the second product line. They will be fixed to streetlights and building rooftops in the Eastside Neighbourhood starting October 2026. The devices feed data to a central dashboard that can dim lights or shift power loads during peak hours. The 2026 fiscal budget set aside $47 million for the monitors and related software licences.
Next steps for residents
People who live or work inside the two pilot zones can register for early app access through the existing Berwick City Services portal before September 30. City staff will hold walk-in sessions at the Harbour Quay community centre on the first Tuesday of each month to answer questions about data use and installation schedules. Updates on the sensor installations appear on the same portal every Friday.