MBTA is using AI to catch drivers who park illegally

The transit agency is working in partnership with Hayden AI, and hopes the technology will improve transit safety across its network.

1 minute read

October 25, 2026, 7:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


An MBTA bus picks up people from a bus stop.

The MBTA says vehicles that illegally park in bus zones are one of the most persistent causes of transit delays. | Wangkun Jia

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is using artificial intelligence to automatically issue warnings to vehicles parked illegally in bus lanes and bus stops. The transit authority hopes the new initiative, powered by bus-mounted technology from Hayden AI, will improve transit safety and reliability across its network.  

“MBTA says illegally parked vehicles in bus zones are among the most persistent causes of transit delays, throwing buses off schedule and preventing riders from reaching their destinations on time,” Brandon Lewis writes for Mass Transit.

The state authorized the use of this technology in 2025. Transit agencies in cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago and New York City use similar strategies to deter drivers from parking illegally. In New York City, the technology has reduced bus stop parking violations by 40% and improved bus speeds by up to 36% on congested road segments, Mass Transit reports.

Thursday, October 22, 2026 in Mass Transit

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