These traffic lights manage traffic by communicating with each other
KATHMANDU, Dec 16: Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) has launched ‘intelligent traffic lights’ on Monday. Chiribabu Maharjan, the mayor of the LMC, inaugurated the lights by switching on the light placed in the Chowk in front of the LMC office in Pulchowk.
Based on the intelligence system, these lights turn on the green light wherever there is a large number of vehicles. The LMC has installed such lights at five locations from Kupondole to Jawalakhel.
Shree Kumar Maharjan, chief divisional engineer of this project, said that in the first phase, two lights have been installed at Pulchowk, one at Kandevta, one at Damkal Chowk and one at Jawalakhel. The vehicle detector machines placed along with the lights immediately detect the number of vehicles on the road and inform the chip and server of the traffic light immediately. Based on this information, the system adjusts the lights, turning the green signal to the direction where there are more vehicles.
Although the passengers have to wait for a long time at the traffic lights towards Kathmandu, most of them wait only 30-50 seconds in Lalitpur. Stating that these lights were added to manage traffic, Mayor Maharjan said that these lights are the first of their kind in Nepal. He said that the metropolis will not have to spend a single penny for repairs for five years.
Lights Out
He said that as it is a new system, public awareness is necessary. He said that the metropolis will mobilize city police and school students to raise public awareness. LMC Mayor Maharjan said that these traffic lights will also be installed on the main roads of the wards outside Chakrapath next year.
As these lights are automatic, they are different from other traditional traffic lights and are also convenient. Vehicle detectors placed along with these lights read the number and details of the vehicle. The system itself sets how much timing is needed in which direction. Currently, its monitoring system is placed in the traffic office. Technician Suyos Bhakta Mathema said that it can be used in light fix, police manual, synchronization, ATCS modes as per the need.
According to Mathema, the data will be stored for five years. This light also keeps a record of vehicles and accidents. Mayor Maharjhan said that although the sample power-grade junction was initially studied at 117 locations, these lights are currently installed at areas with high traffic.
Sanjay Bahadur Raut, Senior Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office said that due to the lack of technology, a significant number of personnel have to be deployed on the roads. Although traffic lights are installed at 64 locations, only 35 are operational for various reasons.
The LMC said that the installation of intelligent traffic lights will help in effective traffic management, reduce the risk for passengers, ensure organized urbanization, and contribute to sustainable development.
Prem Maharjan, federal parliamentarian from Lalitpur Constituency-2, said that traffic lights are an important component of an orderly city. He said that these traffic lights installed by the LMC are an important step forward in the development of the city and the safety of passengers and vehicles.
Former minister of Bagmati Province, Ram Krishna Chitrakar, said that the role of the intelligent traffic system implemented by the LMC for managing traffic in the Kathmandu Valley is crucial. He expressed his gratitude to the LMC, stating, “Thanks to the municipality for working in areas where the public can feel.”
Bagmati Province’s Labor Minister Prem Bhakta Maharjan also pointed out that traffic management is not just a municipal issue but a problem at the provincial level as well. He highlighted that the installation of the intelligent traffic lights by the LMC has made a significant improvement in the system.
