Dhaka is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million. This swift expansion has given rise to a host of issues, with traffic congestion being a significant concern for both locals and commuters. The city’s traffic woes are infamous for their intensity and the detrimental effects they have on Dhaka’s economy, environment, and public health.
The traffic gridlock in Dhaka stems from a mix of factors such as insufficient public transportation, subpar road infrastructure, unchecked increase in private vehicles, and ineffective traffic control. Consequently, the city’s roads are frequently jammed, leading to vehicles being stuck in traffic for extended periods.
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Moreover, the financial implications of traffic congestion are substantial, manifesting in lost work hours, squandered fuel, and escalated transport expenses. A recent study by the Accident Research Institute (ARI) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) disclosed that the majority of wage earners travel to and from work during the city’s peak traffic hours, which are from 7:30 am to 10:30 am and 4 pm to 8:30 pm. During these peak hours, approximately 60% of all vehicles in the capital are on the roads.
The study also revealed that around 25 million journeys are made daily, with office workers making up 44% of these trips, spanning both short and long distances. Last year, traffic congestion in Dhaka alone resulted in an estimated loss of Tk 55,685 crore for the country.
According to the World Traffic Index 2020, Dhaka was ranked 10th out of 228 cities for poor traffic management, as reported by Numbeo, the largest user-contributed database.
Smart Traffic Management System
When it comes to traffic management, traditionally involves various tasks such as the administration, direction, and control of all participating vehicles. However, this approach is now considered outdated. Modern traffic control has evolved and expanded to include more sophisticated methods. A smart traffic management system is capable of systematically controlling road traffic using equipment like CCTV & Security Systems, Number Plate Recognition systems, and more. This aids in the active management of the transport network.
Budgets for public construction projects are always tight, and building roads and bridges is invariably expensive. Smart Traffic Management Systems assist city and regional transportation departments in dealing with these challenges quickly and cost-effectively. The integration of smart traffic technology enables them to improve the performance of their existing infrastructure economically.
In several instances, governments have attempted to implement a Smart Traffic Management System, but these efforts have often failed to materialize. Experts suggest that these projects were undertaken without taking into account the increasing number of vehicles and the condition of the roads.
Implementation of Automated Traffic Signal
Over the past 15 years, the government has invested Tk 150 crore in an effort to enhance Dhaka’s traffic signal system. This plan included ambitious initiatives to modernize the city’s traffic control system, such as digitizing signal lights and installing timer countdowns and digital display boards at key intersections.
In 2001, a significant shift occurred in Dhaka’s traffic control system with the introduction of automatic signals under the Dhaka Urban Transport Project. Funded by the World Bank, nine traffic signals were installed in 2001-02, followed by an additional 59 in 2005, at a cost of Tk 13 crore.
However, the system soon became non-functional, primarily due to inadequate maintenance, as stated in a 2006 World Bank report. Officials noted that the 68 automatic signal lights, intended to synchronize the signal system, operated independently and did not function as planned.
Later, in 2012-13, Dhaka’s two city corporations revitalized the signal lights by incorporating solar panels and timer countdown systems at 70 intersections, as part of another World Bank-funded project. The first phase of the project saw the installation of solar panels and timer countdowns for Tk 15 crore in 2011-2012. In the second phase, an additional Tk 11.5 crore was spent in 2013 to install new signal lights.
However, the trial run was unsuccessful, prompting the city corporations and traffic police to abandon the new signal system and revert to manual traffic management. The system was initiated based on a flawed plan that did not take into account traffic volume and speed.
Subsequently, the city corporation introduced remote controls for the signal lights, but this experiment was short-lived, lasting less than a month. Meanwhile, 17 large and 14 small digital boards displaying traffic rules and speed limits were installed at strategic locations, but they have largely been ignored. These displays, set up by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, cost Tk 27 crore.
Many of these displays have since been removed to make way for major projects like the Metro Rail and U-loops.
‘Intelligent’ System in Limbo
A few years back, the government embarked on an advanced project to consolidate Dhaka’s four notorious intersections — Paltan, Phulbari, Mohakhali, and Gulshan 1 — under a unified automatic traffic control system. The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), as it is formally known, was initially slated for completion in June 2017 but remains unimplemented.
The project, a collaborative effort between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan, has been extended four times to date. Consequently, the projected cost has escalated from Tk 36.37 crore to Tk 52 crore, as per the last revision in 2019.
By November 2019, the ITS system, comprising an ultrasonic vehicle detector, vehicle image detector, and CCTV for monitoring traffic volume and controlling traffic signals, was installed at the four intersections.
In the subsequent year, two specialized computers equipped with ITS software were imported from Japan. However, one of them was stolen from a Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) warehouse prior to installation. Following the theft, the project was put on hold.
DNCC Smart Parking App
In an effort to revolutionize parking facilities and bring order to the bustling capital of Bangladesh, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has officially launched the ‘Smart on Street Parking’ app.
This user-friendly app is designed to encompass a total of 202 parking locations spread across eight key roads in the Gulshan area, offering a convenient and technologically advanced parking experience for both residents and visitors.
The ‘Smart on Street Parking’ app aims to transform urban convenience, enabling vehicle owners to seamlessly locate, reserve, and pay for parking spots within the city. With this innovative app, users can pinpoint available parking spaces nearby, secure spots ahead of time, and manage payments effortlessly, marking the dawn of a new era of efficient urban management in Dhaka.
Can data-driven traffic systems unclog Dhaka traffic?
Establishing a fully automated traffic system in Bangladesh is a complex task with numerous challenges arising from various factors. The first hurdle is the infrastructure limitations.
For a successful implementation of an automated traffic system, key stakeholders require a robust infrastructure that includes sensors, cameras, communication networks, and the capacity to manage real-time data. So it is an essential component in the deployment of new systems.
The lack of coordination among government agencies, law enforcement, and transportation departments, as well as the responsibilities of city corporations, is a significant factor contributing to the failures in implementing automated traffic systems. Additionally, the role of public awareness cannot be ignored. There is often a failure to demonstrate responsibility in managing traffic safety. These situations can also be linked to the lack of coordinated efforts in developing and implementing an effective traffic management strategy.
Digital Bangladesh is a visionary and strategic initiative undertaken by the respected Government of Bangladesh (specifically, the Awami League-led government), where digital technology and communication have the potential to transform various sectors and improve the overall well-being of its respected citizens.
To ensure successful implementation, it is vital to involve relevant stakeholders in a thorough planning process that includes the expertise of traffic professionals and urban planners. The focus should be on designing a network architecture that is resilient, efficient, and data-driven, capable of managing real-time data flow.
