Funds likely for computerised traffic signals in Capital

[LahoreEstate]

By Fazal Sher

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) is likely to allocate funds in budget 2009-10 for installation of computerised traffic system in the city.

CDA Traffic Management Directorate had prepared PC-1 worth Rs 2 billion for the project, a well-placed source told Daily Times on Monday. He said the authority would install computerised traffic signals at 80 intersections in deferent parts of the city.

He said the CDA was expected to allocate funds for the proposed project in the coming budget. He said the CDA would request the government to provide half of the funds for the project.

He said the project aimed to properly monitor vehicular traffic. “It will not only improve traffic system but also help strengthen security arrangements,” he said.

He said if funds were allocated for the project, it would solve some traffic problems. The number of vehicles was increasing day by day; therefore the management of traffic was not possible without a proper system, he said.

He said the authority had installed some 120 traffic signals in the capital city in 1970 but till date they had not been replaced. “Computerised traffic signals will have a camera to record movement of traffic so signal violators will be spotted easily,” he said.

He said traffic signals would be controlled from a control room.

An Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) official said due to old traffic signal, ITP were facing a lot of problems, especially during rush hours.

He said the ITP had many times requested the CDA to replace these old signals with latest computerised ones but it all fell on deaf ears. Installation of new signals will improve ITP performance, he said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_6