The Mexico City Metro announced the launch of a new heat map, a tool that will provide real-time information on how crowded some of the network’s busiest stations are. The measure is part of a technological modernization plan aimed at facilitating the planning of daily commutes and providing useful information before passengers enter the system.
According to Adrián Rubalcava, director of the Public Transportation System, the project will use 800 thermal cameras to measure passenger density at various stations. This data will be used to generate an occupancy map displayed using a color-coded system: green will indicate low passenger volume, while purple will indicate high congestion.
How will the Mexico City Metro’s heat traffic light system work?
The thermal cameras will not identify individuals or record faces. Their sole function will be to measure passenger density on the platforms to generate a heat map that will be updated in real time.
The information will be available on the Metro’s official website and its X account, allowing passengers to decide whether to continue on their usual route or seek an alternative when a station has high occupancy levels.
The first phase will cover the stations with the highest demand
The initial rollout will take place in late August 2026 and will cover 20 stations considered among the busiest in the network. These include high-demand stations such asAuditorio, Tasqueña, Universidad, Pantitlán, and Cuatro Caminos, where thousands of passengers gather daily.
The project involves an investment of 80 million pesos to install a total of 1,600 cameras in the Metro. Of that number, 800 will be thermal cameras for the new “heat traffic light” system, while the rest will enhance video surveillance operations within the facilities.
With this tool, the STC aims to enable millions of users to anticipate access conditions, better plan their routes, and reduce wait times during peak hours. If the results of this first phase are positive, authorities plan to expand the system to more stations in the network in the future.
