Rush hour on Facebook: Police live streams traffic logjams

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have started live streaming the traffic situation at major intersections and roads to keep the public updated in the federal capital.

The police will put up the streaming video on their official Facebook page in the morning, afternoon and evening rush hours.

Surveillance cameras installed at all major intersections can be seen by motorists and commuters between 7am and 9am, 12pm and 2pm and 4pm and 6pm.

Police started posting short video clips of the traffic on various roads ahead of PTI’s planned lockdown of the capital earlier this month.

A police spokesperson said the initiative was effective in disseminating information and largely appreciated by the public. As a result, they decided to run live traffic updates. He said the initiative was the brainchild of Islamabad Police Inspector General Tariq Masood Yasin.

Busy intersections which would be streamed include the Pakistan Monument, Lake View Park and shopping centres such as Centaurus.

Soon after the announcement on Tuesday, police posted their first 10-minute live stream, showing the Islamabad Expressway, Kashmir Highway, Faizabad, Aabpara, Bhara Kahu, Rawal Dam Chowk and other locations.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2016.