INSTALMENT of the automated traffic signal system in the city’s four intersections went in vain due to theft of a computer with software from a warehouse. The incident also left uncertain the fate of the government’s move to bring the city’s all busy intersections under the intelligent traffic system (ITS), though the government has a plan to introduce ITS at 16 other busy intersections. The traffic system in the city is in long mess despite taking several initiatives and projects for discorded efforts, inept operators, and inconsistence of the efforts. We know unscientific signal system is also cited as the cause of the aggravating traffic congestion and its spread into surrounding areas, drastically cutting the speed of vehicles.
In September 2017, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) took up the Tk 520.8 million pilot project to introduce the ITS-based digital traffic signal system at Paltan, Fulbaria, Mohakhali and Gulshan-1 intersections. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided technical and consultancy support, while DTCA was responsible for completing civil work including installation of signal lights, CCTV cameras and underground cable. Civil work and installation of equipment were completed before the end of 2019. The machines that replaced others at the four crossings were supposed to go into operation with the help of the software counting real time traffic on each lane. The DTCA was also supposed to hand over the traffic control system to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for its operation on completion of installation.
The city’s traffic signal system has almost been operated manually although the electronic signal system had been set up several times in the past with no success. In most cases, the signal system turned useless due to the operators’ inability to manage the volume of traffic and multimodal transport as well as undisciplined drivers. Manually operated traffic management system needs to be replaced by digital but effective system for better traffic management.
