Zim to leverage on tech to fix traffic jungle

Emmanuel Kafe

CABINET last week approved the rollout of a smart traffic management system in Zimbabwe, in a significant move to address the country’s growing traffic management woes.

The initiative marks the latest attempt by the authorities to tackle the complex challenges plaguing the country’s transportation system, particularly in rapidly expanding urban areas.

Local roads currently face a multiplicity of problems, contributing to congestion, accidents and loss of life.

These challenges include poor enforcement of traffic laws and regulations, a situation that creates chaos and emboldens reckless driving.

The presence of vehicles unfit for safe operation also poses a significant danger on the roads; while poor road infrastructure, including inadequate carriageway markings and a lack of proper signage, hinders smooth traffic flow, further compounding the problems.

In addition, the rapidly increasing number of vehicles on the road also puts a strain on existing infrastructure, leading to congestion.

These problems have resulted in a grim reality on Zimbabwe’s roads.

According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, a road accident occurs every 15 minutes, often as a result of reckless driving, lax enforcement and the use of defective vehicles.

Tragically, between 2015 and 2022, over 14 600 people lost their lives in road accidents, with 74 000 others sustaining injuries.

Over 1 500 fatalities were recorded from more than 38 000 accidents during the first nine months of last year.

The authorities are now gearing for a fresh effort to tame the traffic jungle through the deployment of state-of-the-art technologies.

Addressing the media following last week’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the Government had approved a public-private partnership with Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East — a Dubai-based company that specialises in intelligent traffic solutions — to roll out Zimbabwe’s smart traffic management system.

What is a smart traffic management system?

It is an advanced, integrated system that leverages on cutting-edge technologies to monitor, regulate and enforce traffic laws and regulations.

At the core of the system is a comprehensive network of high-definition cameras and sensors installed at strategic locations throughout a city. These intelligent cameras employ sophisticated machine vision and image processing algorithms to continuously monitor the flow of traffic.

They are capable of automatically detecting and recording a wide range of traffic violations, such as speeding, running red lights, making illegal turns and driving in restricted lanes.

How does it work?

The system works by capturing detailed vehicle information, including licence plate numbers, as vehicles pass through the monitored areas.

This data is then instantly relayed to a centralised control centre, where it is analysed and processed.

Through integration with vehicle registration databases and traffic violation records, the system can instantly identify the registered owners of offending vehicles.

Automated systems then generate and issue traffic violation tickets, complete with photographic evidence, to the registered owners.

Experts say this advanced, technology-driven approach to traffic management offers several advantages over traditional manual enforcement methods.

The automated nature of the system eliminates the potential for human error or bias, ensuring fair and consistent enforcement of traffic laws.

Moreover, the continuous monitoring and real-time data processing capabilities of the smart traffic management system allow for more efficient identification and processing of violations.

How will the system benefit Zimbabwe?

Driving on Zimbabwean roads has often been described as an extreme sport.

The smart traffic management system is expected to comprehensively address the gross and flagrant disregard for traffic laws, while also adequately punishing offenders.

According to Minister Muswere, the system seeks to address six broad areas that remain problematic with regard to management of traffic on the country’s roads.

These are:

Enforcement of the law by bringing to book all traffic regulation violators;

Reduction of road carnage;

Reduction of traffic congestion in the Central Business District (CBD);

Reduction in corruption as there will be minimal human intervention;

Improving revenue streams for the Government, which will be used to enhance policing;

Improving national security through deployment of intelligent cameras on the roads

Broadly, the system is envisaged to help bring all violators of traffic regulations to account, ensuring better compliance with road rules and regulations.

By deterring reckless driving behaviours, the system is also expected to contribute to a significant reduction in road accidents and fatalities.

The enforcement of traffic laws is also anticipated to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, especially in the CBDs of major cities, particularly Harare.

With minimal human intervention, the system is expected to help reduce opportunities for bribery and corruption related to traffic violations.

Crucially, the fines collected from traffic offences will provide an additional revenue stream for the Government, which can be used to enhance road infrastructure and policing efforts.

How will the system be implemented?

Vitronic Machine Vision will pour in between US$60 million and US$80 million as the initial investment for the project, which will be implemented under a public-private partnership model.

The system will be first rolled out in the Harare and Bulawayo metropolitan provinces, with the company recovering its investment through a revenue-sharing arrangement based on the fines collected.

Who else has a smart traffic management system?

Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East has successfully implemented smart traffic management systems in several African countries, which have yielded positive results.

In Morocco, Vitronic installed a comprehensive smart traffic management system in the country’s major cities, including Casablanca and Rabat.

The system has led to a significant reduction in traffic violations, with a 35 percent drop in speeding incidents and a 28 percent decrease in red light running within the first year of operation.

Traffic congestion in the CBDs has decreased by 22 percent, improving overall mobility and productivity.

The Moroccan government has also reported a 30 percent increase in revenue from traffic fines, which has been reinvested into road infrastructure improvements.

In Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, Vitronic’s smart traffic management system was installed in 2021.

Since its implementation, the country has seen a 42 percent reduction in road accidents, with particular focus on high-risk intersections and accident-prone areas.

Automated enforcement of traffic laws has also led to a 27 percent decrease in traffic violations, with a noticeable improvement in driver compliance with traffic signals and speed limits.

The revenue generated from fines has enabled the Rwandan government to expand its traffic police force and install additional cameras, further strengthening the system’s effectiveness.