Tarique orders 50 more automated traffic points in Dhaka

AI cameras already detect traffic offences automatically at 30 intersections

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the installation of automated traffic signal systems at 50 more locations across Dhaka within a short time.

The directive came on Saturday during a meeting on environmental pollution at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

To ease congestion and improve traffic discipline, automated traffic signals were introduced on a trial basis at seven intersections in the capital in August last year.

The first phase covered InterContinental Dhaka, Banglamotor, Sonargaon, Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, the Chief Advisor's Office and Jahangir Gate.

The pilot project has been jointly overseen by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

In May this year, AI-powered PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras were installed at 30 intersections in Dhaka, allowing authorities to automatically detect traffic offences and issue cases.

The system fines vehicle owners for offences including reckless driving, jumping traffic signals, stopping on zebra crossings, crossing stop lines, blocking left lanes, riding without helmets, creating road obstructions by stopping vehicles indiscriminately, driving on footpaths and illegal parking.

The PMO said Saturday's meeting at Tejgaon also reviewed measures to curb air and noise pollution, promote environmentally friendly brick production technologies, introduce AI-based monitoring to control excessive horn use, and quickly remove unfit, expired and polluting buses, trucks and other vehicles from the roads.