New traffic command centre set up to control traffic congestions

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) -- A new traffic command center is set up to control traffic congestions in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The Royal Thai Police’s Strategy Division announced on Friday the center would coordinate all traffic control agencies, express ways authorities and, even, Bangkok’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage for most effective results in easing traffic jams. Starting from Monday, the center will coordinate the works of all agencies and regularly evaluate the outcomes, especially the rush hour traffic flows on major roads in the capital city. Key to the operation was the integration of nearly 3,000 CCTV cameras previously operated by different agencies under the center, Pol Lt-Gen Kraiboon Suadsong, commander of the Police Strategy Division. On the next step, the center planned to tighten traffic management on roads with heavy traffic and implement tougher road regulations, he said. Pol Lt-Gen Kraiboon also noted that traffic police had introduced a Lane Change Camera System which resulted in 140,000 traffic tickets being issued during the past week. Other measures and new technologies would be implemented under the new center, he added. (TNA)