Las Vegas to Launch AI Crosswalk Pilot Program Downtown

The city was awarded $1.4 million to transform 16 intersections with advanced signal technology.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The City of Las Vegas plans to implement an AI-powered pedestrian safety technology pilot program at 16 intersections in and around the Fremont Street area later this year. The $1.4 million project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, aims to potentially eliminate the need for traditional pedestrian push buttons and improve safety in a high-traffic area.

Why it matters

The Fremont Street area sees heavy foot traffic, and some critics have questioned the need for the new technology when pedestrians can simply push the walk button. However, the city and local experts believe the AI-powered signals could help address the issue of people not pushing the buttons, potentially improving safety in the busy downtown district.

The details

The new smart traffic signals will use advanced technology to detect pedestrians and automatically trigger the walk signal, without requiring people to push a button. The two-year pilot program will run at 16 intersections, including the busy Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street crossing. If successful, the city plans to implement the technology citywide.

  • The city was granted $1.4 million from the Federal Highway Administration to implement the AI pedestrian safety technology later this year.
  • The pilot program will run for about two years once the new smart traffic signals are installed later this year.

The players

City of Las Vegas

The local government entity that is implementing the AI crosswalk pilot program.

Erin Breen

The director of PED Safe Vegas at UNLV, who supports the upcoming project and believes the technology is well-suited for the high-traffic Fremont Street area.

Shelley Berkley

The mayor of Las Vegas, who addressed the project at a recent press conference and said the city will evaluate whether to implement the technology citywide if the pilot is successful.

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What they’re saying

“In an area like Fremont Street where there's a ton of foot traffic, everybody thinks that the other guy pushed the button. And so what happens is no one pushes the button.”

— Erin Breen, Director of PED Safe Vegas at UNLV

“If it works, we'll implement it citywide. If it doesn't work, then we go back to hitting the button. Sometimes the old ways work better, but we'll see what happens.”

— Shelley Berkley, Mayor of Las Vegas

What’s next

The city plans to install the 16 new smart AI pedestrian-detecting traffic signals later this year, and the two-year pilot program will begin at that time.

The takeaway

This pilot program represents Las Vegas' effort to leverage advanced technology to improve pedestrian safety in a high-traffic downtown area, addressing the issue of people not consistently pushing the walk button. The outcome of the two-year trial will determine whether the city moves forward with a citywide rollout of the AI-powered crosswalk system.