Al, drone traffic watch launched

LAHORE:

An artificial intelligence-based drone traffic monitoring system has been launched in Lahore as part of digital transformation of road safety and management.

Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi inaugurated the initiative by conducting live monitoring of major roads during peak traffic hours using thermal drone technology.

He stated that drone-based surveillance would play a vital role in identifying traffic congestion, assessing road engineering issues and supporting long-term traffic management solutions across Lahore.

The CTO said that whenever traffic congestion would be reported, a drone would be deployed immediately to the location to assess the situation, identify the underlying causes and provide real-time aerial intelligence to the Traffic Management Centre for prompt operational response.

He stated that AI-powered analytics would enable timely identification of traffic bottlenecks, allowing officers to make informed decisions and implement immediate corrective measures.

Continuous drone surveillance will also help monitor traffic flow and congestion on major arteries throughout the city.

According to the official, the integration of thermal drone technology will significantly enhance the efficiency of traffic management by providing real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities. The technology will support evidence-based traffic planning and improve mobility for commuters.

The drone monitoring system will also be utilised to detect smoke-emitting vehicles, one-way traffic violations, illegal parking, roadside encroachment and other factors contributing to traffic disruption. In addition, the drones will assist the traffic police in evaluating road engineering deficiencies that affect flow and road safety.

The CTO added that video footage captured through drone surveillance would be securely preserved and shared with relevant government departments to facilitate coordinated action for resolving traffic and infrastructure-related issues.