Diana Nherera

TelOne says the nationwide Smart Traffic Management System is on course for completion this month, with the bulk of surveillance and traffic violation detection cameras expected to be installed by the third week of June.

Speaking during an update of the project, TelOne Technical Director Mr Initial Mlambo said the company plans to have all key components in place by mid-month as implementation gathers momentum.

“We intend to have the required cameras for the project in place by mid-June, with the bulk of installations expected to be completed by the third week of the month. The whole project should be completed this month, which means everything required should be ready,” said Mr Mlambo.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the project involves the deployment of surveillance and traffic violation detection cameras at 326 critical intersections across the country, to be implemented in four phases.

ZRP Commissioner Evelyn Taurai Phillip, said Phase 1A covers 20 sites in Harare, while Phase 1B will focus on a further 30 sites in the capital.

Phase 2 will target 20 sites in Bulawayo, while Phase 3 will cover 33 intersections across Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare.

The final phase will expand coverage to 155 additional sites in Harare and 68 in Bulawayo.

Commissioner Phillip said the project also includes the integration of the ZRP Electronic Traffic Ticketing Management System with several Government databases and platforms.

“We are integrating the system with existing Government platforms, including the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), vehicle registration databases, the police case management system, the national identity database and payment gateway systems,” she said.

She revealed that procurement of all major components required for Phase 1A had been completed.

The fabrication of smart poles for the deployment of traffic violation cameras at 20 intersections was carried out locally by TelOne at its Msasa workshop.

Among the intersections already completed are Glenara Avenue and Samora Machel Avenue, Churchill Avenue and Sam Nujoma Street, Samora Machel Avenue and Bishop Gaul Avenue, Simon Muzenda Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, as well as Sam Nujoma Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue.

Commissioner Phillip said development and testing of the traffic enforcement system was now 95 percent complete, with integration into the Zinara database in its final stages.

She added that solar-powered infrastructure had already been installed at 10 intersections as part of efforts to ensure uninterrupted system operations.

Road marking and intersection upgrading works are also underway, with the City of Harare responsible for the ongoing improvements.

Completed roadworks include intersections at Glenara Avenue and Samora Machel Avenue, Churchill Avenue and Sam Nujoma Street, Samora Machel Avenue and Bishop Gaul Avenue, Simon Muzenda Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, and Julius Nyerere Way and Jason Moyo Avenue.

The City of Harare is also refurbishing traffic lights at the 20 intersections covered under the first phase of the project.

Commissioner Phillip said significant progress had been achieved through collaboration among stakeholders involved in the initiative.

“We have made significant milestones so far, and it is encouraging to see the efforts of all stakeholders translating into visible progress on the ground. Their contributions are commendable,” she said.

The Smart Traffic Management System is expected to enhance road safety, improve traffic flow, strengthen law enforcement and modernise traffic management through the use of digital technologies and automated traffic monitoring.