Government to Implement Urban Traffic Management System

The Government is to implement an Urban Traffic Management System, a component of the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme, in the new fiscal year.

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, said under this component, US$3.5 million financing is to be provided for the purchase and installation of equipment to manage traffic in the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA).

She was speaking during her contribution to the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 14.

“Pretty soon you won’t have to idle your engines at traffic lights, which means more money in your pocket. The Urban Traffic Management System is expected to synchronise traffic lights across the KMA,” she said.

The system will include a centrally controlled Intelligent Transportation System, integration platform for traffic monitoring, operation, planning and modelling, as well as traffic controllers, detectors and other equipment to provide real-time traffic counts and patterns.

In addition, training will be provided for the National Works Agency (NWA) employees who will be involved in the operation and maintenance of the system. Jamaicans can, therefore, look forward to shorter travel times in the KMA.

This programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, the NWA and the Ministry of Transport and Mining.