Islamabad: CDA decides to install computerised traffic signals

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to install computerised traffic signals in the federal capital, a senior official told Daily Times on Thursday.

In the first phase, the authority will install signals in sectors G-8, G-9, F-8 and F-9 as a pilot project, he said. A total 120 traffic signals will be installed, he added. He said a US-based firm would carry out the project and in this regard they would give a presentation to CDA’s board shortly.

He said a year ago the CDA had sent a Rs 2.5 billion project to Interior Ministry for approval for installing security cameras and computerised traffic signals, but so far the ministry had paid no heed to it. The project comprised installation of around 300 security cameras and 60 state-of-the-art traffic singles in various parts of the city, he said.

He said the project was approved by the CDA board and then sent to the ministry for approval. The consultant hired by the CDA for the project had given several presentations to the ministry in this regard, he added. He said the project was aimed at proper monitoring of vehicular movement and improving security of the metropolis.

As the project sent to the ministry has been not yet approved, the CDA has decided to install computerised traffic signals at its own, he said. He said traffic signals were installed in the city in 1970. He said due to old signals Islamabad Traffic Police were facing a lot of problems to manage the traffic during peak hours.

The official said the computerised signals would automatically change according to the number of vehicles. “The computerised traffic signals would have a camera which would read the flow of traffic,” he said. These signals will be controlled from a control room.

Source: Daily Times