DMP Plans Affordable Smart Traffic Camera Expansion

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is preparing to broaden its use of technology in an effort to modernise traffic management across the capital. After introducing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered traffic cameras, the force is now planning to install a new generation of lower-cost “plug-and-play” cameras to extend surveillance to a much larger number of roads and intersections.

According to the DMP, the initiative is intended to strengthen traffic law enforcement, improve road discipline and support a more data-driven approach to managing one of the world’s most densely populated cities. By reducing installation and operational costs, the authorities hope to accelerate the expansion of intelligent traffic monitoring without the financial burden associated with conventional AI camera systems.

Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman said the existing AI-enabled cameras had already demonstrated their effectiveness in detecting traffic violations and monitoring road conditions. However, the high cost of installing and operating the equipment has made it difficult to deploy the technology across the entire city within a short period.

To overcome that challenge, the DMP is now planning to introduce plug-and-play cameras, which can be installed rapidly wherever required and at significantly lower cost. The new devices are expected to expand surveillance coverage considerably while enabling traffic officials to monitor violations more efficiently, analyse traffic flow in real time and respond more quickly to changing road conditions.

The official said the DMP’s long-term vision is to build a technology-driven traffic management system rather than relying solely on traditional policing methods. Expanding digital surveillance, he noted, is aimed at creating safer, more organised roads for residents while improving the overall efficiency of law enforcement.

Rahman also revealed that the AI camera system has received encouraging public support since its introduction. Within just two months of deployment, many motorists have begun showing greater respect for traffic signals and road regulations than initially anticipated.

He described this behavioural change as one of the most significant achievements of the initiative. In his view, the true success of traffic enforcement is measured not only by penalties but by the willingness of road users to comply with the rules voluntarily.

Despite these technological advances, Rahman cautioned that digital surveillance alone cannot resolve Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion. He identified the city’s mixed traffic system as one of the principal obstacles to smoother mobility. Motorised vehicles frequently share roads with slow-moving non-motorised transport, creating operational complexities that are difficult to manage even with advanced monitoring systems.

He added that the uncontrolled movement of auto-rickshaws in certain areas has also become a major challenge to maintaining road discipline. At the same time, the number of vehicles on Dhaka’s roads continues to grow beyond the capacity of existing infrastructure, placing sustained pressure on the transport network.

The continued operation of a large number of unfit vehicles further complicates the situation by affecting both road safety and traffic flow. Rahman stressed that every city’s transport infrastructure has a practical limit, and exceeding that capacity inevitably leads to congestion and operational inefficiencies.

The senior traffic official also highlighted the lack of a comprehensive, reliable public transport system as a fundamental cause of the capital’s traffic crisis. Without safe, sufficient and punctual public transport services, many commuters remain dependent on private cars and smaller vehicles, adding further pressure to already congested roads.

Pedestrian behaviour, he said, is another area requiring improvement. Many people continue to cross roads outside designated zebra crossings or ignore footbridges, while others attempt to cross during red traffic signals instead of waiting for the green light. Such practices not only increase the risk of accidents but also interrupt the smooth movement of vehicles.

Rahman observed that successful traffic management in many international cities depends on responsible behaviour from all road users rather than enforcement alone. Drivers, pedestrians and passengers all have a role to play in maintaining road safety and discipline, making public awareness just as important as technological innovation.

Drawing on years of operational experience, the DMP has accumulated detailed information on congestion patterns across the capital. Officials know which locations experience the heaviest traffic during specific periods of the day, allowing resources to be allocated more effectively. Additional traffic personnel are deployed during peak hours in the busiest areas, while staffing is adjusted during quieter periods.

At present, approximately 25 major intersections across Dhaka require round-the-clock deployment of traffic officers because of continuous vehicle pressure throughout the day and night.

Rahman concluded that simply increasing manpower is not a sustainable long-term solution for managing traffic in an expanding megacity. Instead, the DMP is prioritising automated, technology-based and data-driven traffic management. Alongside the continued use of AI cameras, the planned expansion of affordable plug-and-play surveillance systems is expected to play a significant role in improving monitoring capabilities, strengthening traffic law enforcement and promoting greater order on Dhaka’s roads in the years ahead.