NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 8-An intelligent transport system to be rolled out in Nairobi is set to drastically reduce the traffic jams in the capital from 2018.
The intelligent transportation system, which includes adaptive traffic lights that control traffic in response to road user patterns, will ensure smooth flow of vehicles by improving mobility in at least 100 intersections in Nairobi.
Nicholas Airo, the Director of the company implementing the system, NAS International, says the system will soon be operational in three intersections on Ngong Road, the Kileleshwa By-Pass, with junctions from Industrial Area to Ring Road Parklands also in the pipeline.
“Intelligent Traffic System involves having remotely controlled system where you can coordinate transport in the city without having police and traffic marshals in the intersection you can actually coordinate and monitor traffic system in one platform under a controlled center and actually improve the mobility in the city,” said Airo.
In addition to reducing road congestion, the traffic system is expected to promote road safety and curb violation of traffic rules.
Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) has been used to manage traffic in countries like Germany, USA, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, UAE, Israel, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, Canada, Saudi Arabia among other nations.
In Nairobi, thousands of vehicles access the CBD together with over 1.5 million pedestrians. As a result, over Sh50 million is lost to traffic congestion that takes up valuable time in productivity, fuel consumption.
According to Airo, this system will help in saving time, increasing productivity and promoting a safe environment for all.
