LAHORE: South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Fuad Hashim Rabbani on Wednesday inaugurated the pilot project of an Artificial Intelligence-based radar system for traffic control.

This is the first AI-based traffic control system of its kind in South Punjab installed on Old Bahawalpur Road. Multan Development Authority (MDA) Director General Rana Saleem Ahmed Khan, Director Engineering Rana Waseem, and Director Transport Rao Zaka were also present at the inauguration.

Mr Rabbani emphasized the importance of modern technology and artificial intelligence in all sectors. He said practical application of artificial intelligence had already started in various sectors across South Punjab.

He said the AI-based radar system would be expanded to other roads after the successful implementation of the pilot project.

He said public awareness campaign on road safety would also be launched and the Bahawalpur Development Authority had also been tasked with adopting this system.

MDA DG Mr Khan briefed the ACS about the system and said that the AI radar system monitored the speed of vehicles on the road.

He said vehicles moving within the speed limit will have their speed displayed in green on the screen, while those exceeding the speed limit will be shown in red. He said that the system operates 24/7 with a backup and is powered by solar panels.

In second phase, he said cameras would be integrated into the traffic system, and the system would be handed over to the traffic police.

He said the system would be installed on 21 roads under the jurisdiction of the MDA after the success of the pilot project.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2024