Drones to take flight to control traffic in capital
AI generated image
Traffic congestion has long been a problem in Dhaka, the capital. It wastes valuable working hours and causes huge economic losses. Various initiatives have been taken at different times but no permanent solution has been found. However, the recent use of artificial intelligence cameras to control traffic congestion and restore discipline on the roads has brought some relief. Now the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken an initiative to introduce drone surveillance.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Police Commissioner for Traffic Md. Anisur Rahman hopes the new technology will significantly reduce traffic congestion in the capital once it is introduced to restore discipline on the roads. He expressed this optimism in a recent interview with the state-run news agency BSS.
According to the DMP Traffic Division official, a single drone will initially be used on a trial basis to collect real time information from important roads and congestion prone areas. There are also plans to identify vehicles violating traffic laws and issue warnings. At a later stage, automatic number plate recognition technology will be added to enable video-based traffic cases.
Anisur Rahman said drone surveillance is already used in many countries around the world. However, it is an entirely new concept for Bangladesh. He said traffic congestion is sometimes seen not only on roads but also on flyovers and elevated expressways. In many cases, the exact cause of the congestion cannot be identified immediately or it takes time to determine the cause.
He said, “Drone surveillance is available in many countries around the world. However, it is an entirely new concept for us. Many times, we see traffic congestion not only on roads but also on flyovers and elevated expressways. Often the exact cause of these traffic jams cannot be found or it takes time to know the reason. That is why we have thought that if we can introduce drone surveillance at various important locations, it will give us immediate real time information. This will make it easier for us to give instructions.”
The additional police commissioner of the DMP Traffic Division believes that if automatic number plate recognition technology is integrated into the drones, traffic cases can be filed based on video footage while officers remain in their offices.
Anisur Rahman said, “A major problem in Dhaka is that buses do not stop at designated places. Depending on the condition of the bus, they pay the owner money per day. Because of this payment system, they compete with one another. Because of this competition, buses do not stop at passenger shelters. They stop wherever they want and block the entire road behind them.”
The additional police commissioner of the DMP Traffic Division believes that in developed countries buses operate at fixed intervals. Which bus comes after which bus and when and where each bus will stop are all managed through a specific system. There is no such system in Bangladesh. As a result, buses compete with one another to get passengers. This is why almost all buses in Dhaka have numerous marks and dents on their bodies. They look much like the faces of people suffering from smallpox. This congestion will not decrease until this practice is stopped and the two initiatives of e ticketing and bus route rationalization are properly implemented.
Asked what exactly the drones will do, Anisur Rahman said the drones will have a voice or sound system. This will allow warnings to be issued to vehicles violating traffic laws. For example, if a vehicle causes a traffic jam, the drone can say, “You are causing a traffic jam. Move away.”
“Traffic cases can also be filed for violations of traffic laws through drones. This will allow us to monitor different traffic situations. However, this is still at a very early stage. An organization has provided us with a drone on a trial basis. We are testing and experimenting with it. We hope to begin field operations with it very soon,” the DMP Traffic Division official added.
Asked whether real time data could be obtained directly through the drones, Anisur Rahman said it was entirely possible. However, infrastructure would be required to receive the data.
He said, “It is possible to get real time data. However, we need infrastructure to receive it. Because all of this is internet based and server based. We need space and infrastructure for these systems. There are costs involved as well.”
Asked whether special training would be required to operate the drones, the additional police commissioner said operating a drone is a technical matter. Therefore, the DMP has already started training its members. The training began with the Tejgaon Division. A team there has already received training. Members of the Uttara Division will receive training in the next phase.
Speaking about the challenges of introducing the technology, Anisur Rahman said, “It will take some time at the beginning. We first started working on traffic signals. A total of 15 signals have been brought under AI technology, including 14 signals starting from Shahbagh and one on Lake Road. There are also other signals under the DMP.
“We first wanted to see whether this system works. For now, it is working. However, that does not mean there are no problems. There are problems. Even so, we are trying to teach people to follow traffic signals. It is taking some time to develop this habit. I hope the same will be true for drones. We will test it. If we find any negative aspects, it will not be introduced,” the police official added.
