New command centre is tasked with easing traffic jams around Bangkok

[webfact]

New command centre is tasked with easing traffic jams around Bangkok

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation

 

 

A command centre is being set up to coordinate key agencies tackling traffic congestion in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Among other steps, the centre will integrate nearly 3,000 CCTV cameras previously spread across three agencies as it seeks to smooth out rush-hour traffic flows and speed up responses to problems.

 

The centre was instructed by related agencies at a meeting on Thursday to next week step up traffic management on Sam Sen, Sathorn and Sukhumvit-Phetchaburi roads, which are notorious for their serious traffic jams related to the large number of schools along them, said Pol Lt-General Kraiboon Suadsong, commander of the Police Strategy Division.

 

Under the helm of national police chief assistant Pol Lt-General Natthorn Phrosunthorn the centre will also weekly evaluate the results of work tackling traffic jams, and make adjustments accordingly, said Kraiborn.

 

The centre will also make use of the 2,918 CCTV cameras in the capital and vicinity that were controlled by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Expressway Authority of Thailand and the Highway Department.

 

The centre also will also have BMA officials inspect roads that are under construction, to ensure that contractors keep a path clear for the public’s use. There have been many reports of projects that unnecessarily occupied more road surface than is necessary, said Kraiboon.

 

The BMA’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage will also inspect flood-prone spots and take measures that ensure fast draining in the event of heavy rains, he said.

 

Kraiboon also paid tribute to the new Lane Change Camera System run by Bangkok police. Traffic police have issued 140,000 traffic tickets against motorists who illegally change lanes to overtake other vehicles after a strict ban on the practice was implemented on May 9 at 15 flyovers and underpasses in the capital.

 

Pol Maj-General Ekkarak Limsang-kard, a member of the centre's working team, said the Thursday meeting had also backed the Land Traffic Act amendment that will see a point system introduced for drivers. The behavioural score-cutting approach would take off points for every traffic law violation committed by motorists and motorcyclists, with a low score negatively impacting the driver’s licence renewal.

 

The amendment was passed by the National Legislative Assembly pending a June 7 public hearing for future implementation, Ekkarak said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30345710

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-18

[George Bowman]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A command centre is being set up to coordinate key agencies tackling traffic congestion in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

I thought this was the command center.

[Chang_paarp]

What punishment for not easing  traffic congestion?

 

Putting them on point duty?

[observer90210]

The uniformed cutie on the far right of the OP photo could become a hottie, if she let her hair grow a bit longer !!!.......ah yes!...trafic congestion?!!...ok let's see what happens !!

[shady86]

Removing the jokers manning police booths at major junctions will ease of traffic congestion. Motorists are at their mercy waiting for the green light.

[mok199]

hope they have good wifi for those long days and nights

[3NUMBAS]

the solution is easy remove all the taxi punters driving round all day looking for a fare

[a977]

14 hours ago, observer90210 said:

The uniformed cutie on the far right of the OP photo could become a hottie, if she let her hair grow a bit longer !!!.......ah yes!...trafic congestion?!!...ok let's see what happens !!

Now I know where B-J loveeeeeely lady has gone Oh!  Mrs Palmer and her 5 daughters will be so pleased

[anon467367354]

probably just a matter of having more whistles being blown and more arms being waved.

I wonder if the problem with traffic congestion has to do with how or how not the city has been laid out.

How about more expressways without a toll. How about today's very fast motorcycles being treated just like any other vehicle and be allowed to use any and/or all roads?

I ride a big bike, quicker and faster than most cars. 

Why is it again I'm not allowed to use certain roads? Is it because no one wants to update traffic laws that were written 40 years ago?

Why not tackle the obvious first?

[PerkinsCuthbert]

23 hours ago, missoura said:

I thought this was the command center.

Nah, it's being moved here: