The ACE program equips MTA buses with smart cameras that automatically detect and deter lane-blocking and double-parking violations, improving bus speeds by up to 30%, reducing collisions by 20%, cutting emissions by up to 10%, with faster, safer service for over 840,000 daily riders across NYC.
About this Project
New York City’s buses faced chronic delays from vehicles illegally blocking bus lanes, bus stops, and double-parking—causing slower service, collisions, and unreliable commutes for hundreds of thousands of riders.
To address this, the Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program equips MTA buses with smart cameras that automatically detect and record violations in real time, enabling consistent, data-driven enforcement in partnership with NYC Dept. of Transportation and NYC Department of Finance.
Since launching in June 2024, ACE has expanded to 47 routes, covering 545 miles and serving over 840,000 daily customers.
The results are clear: bus speeds up 5–30%, collisions down 20%, bus stop blockages reduced by 40%, and emissions cut up to 10%, while only 12% of drivers reoffend—making citywide bus travel faster, safer, and more reliable for all New Yorkers.
Key Highlights
The Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program is innovative because it turns MTA buses into mobile enforcement units using onboard AI-enabled cameras that automatically detect lane-blocking, double-parking, and bus stop violations in real time—without relying on fixed infrastructure.
This dynamic, route-wide approach allows enforcement to follow the buses where problems occur, improving fairness and coverage. Data is securely transmitted for review by City staff, ensuring due process and transparency.
The program’s integrated analytics enable performance tracking and behavioral insights, driving a 5–30% increase in bus speeds, 20% fewer collisions, and 40% fewer blocked stops, making ACE a model for smart, data-driven transit management.
Facts & Figures
- Routes across all five boroughs, covering 545 miles and directly benefiting more than 840,000 daily riders.
- On ACE-equipped corridors, bus speeds increased by 5–30%, collisions declined by 20%, and bus stop blockages were reduced by 40%, restoring service reliability and improving customer experience.
- Cleaner, more consistent traffic flow has led to an estimated 5–10% reduction in emissions, supporting citywide sustainability goals.
- Importantly, 88% of drivers who received one violation did not receive another.
