Despite having a well-developed infrastructure, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has not changed the traffic signals installed nearly four decades ago, compounding traffic problems in the metropolis.
The CDA installed 105 traffic signals and built 50 speed breakers in the capital in the early 1970s, however to date, the old signals have not been replaced to cope with growing traffic problems, an official said.
He said the old traffic signals forced people to wait during normal hours same as in the rush hours. Moreover, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) faced problems in traffic management, especially at peak hours, as this system was outdated in the context of today’s exponentially growing traffic.
The ITP, therefore, was compelled to increase its man-power to manage traffic properly during peak hours, he added.
The official said the CDA made a proposal worth Rs 350 million for the installation of 60 latest traffic signals in the capital four years ago, but it had not yet been finalised. “Not bothered with the public’s problems, the CDA high-ups have never taken notice of the inordinate delay in installation of computerised traffic signals,” he said.
An ITP official, on the condition of anonymity, said the ITP had requested the authorities repeatedly to change the old signals and to install the latest computerized traffic signals, but they turned a deaf ear to this serious issue.
“The performance of model traffic police would further improve if the CDA installed modern traffic signals,” he added. He said the CDA had not yet implemented its plan of installation of UPSs at traffic signals, which was creating problems for the police, especially at busy centres of the city.
He said the CDA needed to install smart signals, especially at busy centres of the city, to automatically control road traffic according to its flow, or construct underpasses.
The CDA needs to give traffic-engineering responsibility to model traffic police, or consult them before making plans regarding traffic management, he added.
Smart signals, with the help of sensors, changed traffic signal lights in accordance with the number of vehicles present at an intersection, and were the need of the hour, the official said.
