A Patrol for Siberian Highways: LTE-Powered Autonomous Cameras Aim to Make Roads Safer
In 2026, Krasnoyarsk Krai will deploy the first 50 autonomous traffic enforcement systems on key entry points and the busiest regional highways, including the Krasnoyarsk bypass and the route toward Yeniseysk. The defining feature of these systems is their complete independence from wired infrastructure.
More Than Just Cameras
The project, launched as part of the federal national program “Infrastructure for Life,” is one of Siberia’s first practical deployments of a wireless traffic enforcement system on regional roads. Its core idea is to overcome a structural challenge faced by a country with vast and sparsely populated territories. In areas where laying fiber-optic lines is economically or geographically impractical, modern wireless connectivity becomes the solution.
The equipment will do more than record violations. Each unit is designed to process data locally and transmit finalized information over a secure LTE channel to the region’s intelligent transportation system. That system has been in place since 2020. Approaches to the regional capital already use 221 traffic detectors, 16 automated weather stations, 32 dynamic information displays, and 130 pan-tilt cameras.
A Road Built for the Future
The broader road infrastructure effort is primarily aimed at improving driver safety. A dense, intelligent enforcement network encourages compliance with traffic rules, which in turn reduces accident rates. Russia continues to digitize its transport sector, relying largely on domestically developed technologies.
At the same time, the country is moving in step with global trends. Programs to equip patrol vehicles with mobile enforcement systems are expanding. Efforts to close the digital divide are underway, and private LTE and 5G networks for industrial and sector-specific use are growing rapidly. The number of road cameras continues to rise nationwide. In 2024, nearly 32,000 cameras were in operation across Russia, about 10% more than in 2023. These systems recorded more than 236 million traffic violations. Under the “Infrastructure for Life” program, the annual increase in photo and video enforcement systems is expected to reach 400 to 500 units, further strengthening road safety.
Expanding the Horizon
The Krasnoyarsk initiative marks a shift from isolated camera deployments in major cities toward building a comprehensive digital ecosystem along regional highways. The pilot in Krasnoyarsk Krai could become the starting point for scaling similar autonomous systems across the country. From a technological perspective, this opens the door to more advanced solutions.
The next phase is expected to include deeper integration with intelligent transportation system components and pilot projects using 5G connectivity for more sophisticated analytics. Once the system demonstrates its effectiveness on Krasnoyarsk roads, it is likely to be rolled out in other regions. In this way, Siberian highways are becoming not only transport corridors but also testing grounds for technologies that could define a new standard for road safety and traffic management in Russia over the coming decade.
