ABDUL LATIF: ‘SCOOT SYSTEM HAS CONTRIBUTED TO ALLEVIATING TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS’

Published In : 25/10/2016

Roads Planning & Design Director at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities & Urban Planning Eng. Kadhim Abdul Latif stated that traffic congestions on the roads network in the Kingdom of Bahrain is only normal, especially during peak hours, due to the urban boom and the investment and population growth, which has naturally resulted in an increase in traffic volumes in the past few years. Not only is the Ministry expanding and developing the roads network, but it is also constantly working on finding ways and methods to alleviate traffic congestions.

Abdul Latif explained that one of the methods aiming to alleviate traffic congestion is the operation of the newly developed version of the Traffic Signals Control System 'SCOOT', which coordinates between traffic signals existing close to each other to provide the green light wave to traffic with the highest concentration and therefore reduce waiting time or frequent stops between traffic signals.

According to Abdul Latif, the Ministry implemented phase 1 of the project by linking 22 traffic signals, including 14 signals in North Manama and the Diplomatic Area and 8 others in Central Manama and Muharraq.

'Traffic statistics revealed that the system has reduced waiting time by 20% along King Faisal Highways, the Government Avenue, Fordah Avenue and Salmaniya Interchange, which reflected positively on smoothing traffic flow,' said Abdul Latif.

The Ministry continues to develop the roads network and find ways to alleviate traffic congestions throughout the Kingdom. Recently, it has linked a number of traffic-signal controlled interchanges along King Faisal Highway in Manam, the Airport Highway in Muharraq and Sh. Salman Highway in Salmaniya to the SCOOT central control system.     

Also, the Ministry has recently completed Phase 2 of the project, which comprised of infrastructure construction works along the Airport Highway, Al Fateh Highway and Palace Avenue; aiming to extend the optical fiber cable and connect the traffic signals to the central control chamber at the Ministry. This work phase also includes connecting 10 new traffic signals along the Palace Avenue and Al Fateh Highway and 5 traffic signals along the Airport Highway.

 Abdul Latif also explained that the SCOOT System has highly important additional features that will contribute to improving the roads network and smoothing traffic movement. The system can be used to detect the number of vehicles passing through pre-determined traffic locations 24/7. Such statistics are very important for traffic engineers, especially when preparing traffic models or designing intersections.

Also, the system conducts a complete survey on all traffic signals to ensure they are operating normally. If a fault is detected, the system reports that. In addition, the system gives right of the way and priority to special vehicles like ambulances and civil defense vehicles when needed. ​



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