John Cheboi, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, explained the rationale behind the system. “We’ve had a traffic jam challenge in Nairobi for over a decade. While the government has worked on opening missing links, improving junctions, and completing major road expansions, the rising number of vehicles has made it difficult to sustain improvements through traditional methods,” he said.

The new system leverages AI to monitor and manage traffic at key intersections. “The intelligent system uses 360-degree cameras to assess vehicle volumes in real time. It prioritises sections with the most vehicles, ensuring smoother traffic flow,” Cheboi explained.

The system also reduces reliance on traffic police. “You don’t have to place policemen on the road constantly. The system provides drivers with visible timers, showing how many seconds remain before they can move, reducing impatience and improving flow,” he added.

Cheboi noted that a pilot model introduced in 2018 laid the groundwork for the broader implementation. “The model has been operational since 2018, training our staff and proving its effectiveness. Now, we’re investing heavily to expand the system to cover about 400 intersections across Nairobi,” he said.

In addition to improving traffic flow, the system also records real-time data for analysis. “It captures footage that can be used to address incidents, enforce traffic fines, and track driver behaviour. This data provides valuable insights into traffic patterns and mistakes made daily,” said Cheboi.

Construction of a central Traffic Management Centre is set to begin this year, along with the integration of more junctions into the system. “This is the beginning of fully adopting AI to manage traffic in Nairobi,” Cheboi concluded.

--ChannelAfrica--