Dhaka Launches AI System To Tackle Traffic Congestion

DHAKA: (Web Desk) – Dhaka, one of the world’s most overcrowded and traffic-congested capitals, has introduced its first artificial intelligence-powered traffic enforcement system in an effort to improve road discipline and reduce daily chaos on its streets.

The busy city roads are often packed with buses, cars, motorcycles, and traditional pedal rickshaws competing for limited space, while traffic rules and signals are frequently ignored by commuters.

Traffic police officers in Dhaka have long faced difficulties managing congestion manually, with roadside disputes and confrontations becoming a routine part of enforcement duties. Officers have even reported incidents of vehicles refusing to stop or striking traffic personnel during violations.

Traffic Sergeant SM Nazim Uddin said the new AI system has started changing driver behavior, adding that motorists are now showing greater compliance with traffic laws and reducing arguments with officers.

Although the city has previously attempted to modernize traffic management, many systems still relied heavily on manual operations. In some areas, officers were seen using ropes across roads to control vehicles before traffic lights changed.

In April, Dhaka police officially connected city traffic cameras to AI-based software capable of automatically detecting violations such as signal breaking, lane discipline issues, and illegal parking.

One of the first motorists fined under the new system was Hannan Rahman Jibon, who received an automated penalty after running a red light. He said the vehicle owner was instantly notified through a text message and fined 2,000 taka ($16), making drivers more cautious on the roads.

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According to studies by the US National Bureau of Economic Research, Dhaka has been ranked among the slowest cities globally. Research conducted by the World Bank and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology estimated average traffic speeds at only 4.8 kilometers per hour, slower than walking in many cases.

Police spokesperson N.M. Nasiruddin said the AI system works through existing surveillance cameras while human analysts verify flagged violations before penalties are issued.

Inside the traffic control center, analyst Sharmin Afroze monitors live camera feeds connected to the AI software. She revealed that the system recorded nearly 800 traffic violations in a single day, although authorities are currently issuing warnings to many offenders while focusing fines on major violations.

Officials acknowledged that the technology still faces challenges, including unclear or unreadable vehicle number plates. Authorities are coordinating with transport agencies to improve registration visibility and expand the system’s capabilities to detect additional offences such as vehicles driving on footpaths.

The AI system currently focuses mainly on motor vehicles, while officials continue discussions on how to regulate Dhaka’s massive fleet of pedal rickshaws, which remain a major part of the city’s transport network.

Professor Hasib Mohammed Ahsan from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology said long-term success would depend not only on technology but also on consistent law enforcement, planning, and public accountability.