The rollout of an AI ticketing system in Philadelphia marks a significant shift in how the city plans to manage traffic and public transit access. Beginning May 7, vehicles obstructing bus lanes or stopping illegally in front of bus stops will be subject to automated ticketing, thanks to artificial intelligence systems installed on public transportation.
A joint effort between SEPTA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), the initiative uses AI cameras mounted on 152 buses and 38 trolleys operating through Center City and West Philadelphia to identify violations in real time.
Transit Officials Hope Enforcement Will Shift Driver Behavior
The goal of the project, according to SEPTA planning programs manager Matthew Zapson, is to improve access and speed for riders by discouraging behavior that impedes public transport.
“We’re optimistic that consistent enforcement will change driver behavior,” Zapson told Technical.ly. “We want our system to be safer, faster, and more accessible for everyone.”
Hayden AI, a San Francisco-based firm specializing in AI traffic solutions, is supplying and maintaining the onboard systems.
How the AI Ticketing System Works
The AI ticketing system includes a set of tools: a context camera, license plate recognition hardware, an antenna, and a processing unit—all positioned within the vehicle’s windshield. These components work together to capture potential violations.
Hayden AI designed a detailed map of Philadelphia’s bus routes, annotating it with traffic rules relevant to each section. The system’s algorithms analyze footage and flag infractions when vehicles are detected in restricted zones like bus stops or lanes.
“If the system recognizes a vehicle in a no-parking zone, it captures the license plate image. If there’s no vehicle, it does nothing,” explained Charles Territo, Hayden AI’s chief growth officer.
From Detection to Citation: The Process Behind the Penalty
When a possible violation is identified, the system generates an evidence file, which is first reviewed by Hayden AI for validation. After this preliminary check, the case is forwarded to the PPA, where a human reviewer verifies the offense before a citation is officially issued.
The AI system is designed to capture only images related to actual violations, limiting unnecessary data collection and preserving privacy.
Currently, the system is operating under a warning phase. Starting May 7, the PPA will begin issuing fines ranging from $50 to $76 based on the type of infraction.
AI Enforcement Proves Effective in Other Cities
According to Territo, Hayden AI has implemented similar systems in nine other U.S. cities. Results show that 90% of drivers cited for an initial offense did not reoffend, suggesting the AI ticketing approach is highly effective at altering habits.
SEPTA and the PPA previously conducted a pilot program in 2023 using seven buses on routes 21 and 42. Over 70 days, the system recorded more than 36,000 violations, revealing widespread noncompliance in key transit corridors.
“This data confirmed how much of a problem this was—it directly impacted rider accessibility and travel times,” said Zapson.
Broader Goals: Accessibility, Efficiency, and Ridership
PPA Executive Director Rich Lazer emphasized that improving accessibility, particularly for seniors, parents, and people with disabilities, is a key objective. Human officers can only enforce violations they witness firsthand, but the AI ticketing system allows for continuous, location-agnostic enforcement.
While SEPTA will not receive direct revenue from the tickets, the transit authority hopes improved reliability will attract more riders, helping to address its ongoing financial challenges.
“When transit is more dependable and faster,” Zapson noted, “it becomes a more appealing option—and that can ultimately boost ridership.”
As Philadelphia moves forward with AI enforcement, city officials are betting on technology not only to streamline traffic compliance but also to reshape how residents engage with public transit.
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