Traffic police study Japanese system

A method of controlling traffic lights and letting drivers in their cars know about congestion ahead is being looked at for the capital.

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ABU DHABI // Traffic police are studying a Japanese system for controlling traffic that includes telling motorists in-car about congestion ahead, with a view to applying it in the capital to try to ease road congestion and protect the environment. Col Hussein al Harethi, head of traffic engineering and road safety for the traffic and patrols department, said the traffic system in the emirate was no longer sufficient with the current density of vehicles on the roads, caused by Abu Dhabi's constant economic growth and the increase in its population.

The Japanese traffic system includes technology to control the time intervals of traffic lights, based on the number of vehicles on each side of the lights and amount of carbon emissions in the air. "The system also provides correct information on the traffic situation in the right time and place to identify dangerous road situations for the motorist before he makes his decision on which route to take," Col al Harethi said. The motorist is in constant contact with the traffic operating system through a communication system fitted to the vehicle. The Japanese set-up was chosen for study specifically as it is the only traffic system worldwide where all the departments concerned with traffic are controlled under one directorate. This central system facilitates co-ordination and quick interventions during emergencies. hdajani@thenational.ae