Bangkok’s traffic gridlock gets a tech-tock fix
Bangkok’s notorious traffic mayhem is finally seeing a breakthrough, thanks to a two-year tech overhaul that’s got commuters breathing a sigh of relief. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the implementation of Area Traffic Control (ATC) technology has slashed journey times in the city’s busiest areas by a remarkable 25%.
This traffic-taming triumph comes courtesy of the ATC system, a savvy solution that tweaks traffic signal timings to keep the wheels turning. Since its rollout at select junctions back in May, traffic flow has soared by 10% during peak hours and a staggering 30% during off-peak times, as confirmed by BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala.
But that’s not all. The city has taken a high-tech approach by deploying CCTV cameras powered by artificial intelligence to catch those cheeky traffic violators in the act. Meanwhile, road enhancements have been rolled out, adding a touch of comfort and convenience for the capital’s motorists.
In 2023 alone, Bangkok unveiled new traffic management wizardry in 50 hotspots across the city, leading to that impressive 25% drop in overall travel time. And the BMA isn’t stopping there; plans are in place to expand these improvements to over 70 more congested areas within the year, reported Bangkok Post.
In a bid to further beat the traffic blues, the BMA is pushing for more public and non-motorised transportation options. By urging commuters to leave their cars at home, Bangkok hopes to keep its streets moving smoothly, proving that even in gridlock, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Meanwhile, in a bid to spruce up the bustling streets of Bangkok and make them safer for pedestrians, the BMA) has given street vendors the boot from two major hotspots in the Pathumwan district. Ploenchit Road in Ton Son and the bustling area outside the Siam Scape building are the targets.
Gone are the days when 17 vendors lined the sidewalks of Ploenchit Road, and another nine operated in front of the Siam Scape building. These spots have been declared strictly vendor-free since January 1, according to the BMA.
But that’s not where the vendor shake-up stops. The BMA has its sights set on tidying up the area around the iconic Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, where three flower vendors are being asked to fall in line and ease the traffic congestion.
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