Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use

[webfact]

 

Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement.

 

From June 12, 2022, to April 1, 2024, a pilot programme to penalise illegal parking and driving on sidewalks led to the detection of 74,333 violations. Out of these, 8,415 vehicle owners were summoned to provide statements, 225 received warnings, and 410 were fined a total of 293,300 baht.

 

The City Law Enforcement Office is expediting the process for all districts equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras integrated with AI systems to promptly issue summonses to vehicle owners.

Concurrently, the authorities are surveying additional locations for the installation of CCTV cameras with AI technology. As part of the campaign to deter cars and motorcycles from using sidewalks, strict law enforcement is in place to ensure public safety and protect the property of pedestrians.

This action is by Section 17 (2) of the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country, B.E. 2535, as amended (No. 2), B.E. 2560, which prohibits parking or driving on sidewalks. During the period from July 2018 to April 2024, the efforts have resulted in 55,888 offenders being caught and fined a total of 62,429,000 baht, said the Director of the Traffic and Transportation Office, Thaiphat Thanasombatkul.

 

“A trial at 15 locations with CCTV systems had been successful in capturing images of motorcycles riding on sidewalks. These images, along with the vehicle registration details, were sent to the City Law Enforcement Office to track down the owners for fines in compliance with the Cleanliness and Orderliness Act, which states, ‘No one shall park or drive any vehicle on the sidewalks, except for entering a building or as allowed by traffic officers.'”

 

Reported outcomes

 

The results show a decrease in violations and a change in driver behaviour, leading to a target to expand the installation of such systems across Bangkok. An additional 100 locations are planned to be equipped by August, with the expectation that the entire installation will be completed by then.

 

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Bangkok’s administration to reclaim sidewalks for pedestrians and ensure that the city’s traffic laws are respected, enhancing safety and accessibility for all residents and visitors. With the aid of AI technology, the city aims to create a more orderly and law-abiding environment on its streets and sidewalks, reported Khaosod.

 

by Nattapong Westwood Nattapong

TOP PHOTO VIA :Steve Johnson FROM:Unsplash.com

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-13

 

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[khunjeff]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

As part of the campaign to deter cars and motorcycles from using sidewalks, strict law enforcement is in place to ensure public safety and protect the property of pedestrians.

 

Or to put it another way - no, it isn't, at all. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement.

AI to help police to do a foot patrol?

[RobU]

Good news. Thai sidewalks are not designed to be used by pedestrians. All pedestrians using them should be fined.  Posts in the middle of the sidewalk forcing pedestrians to step onto the road, dangerous manhole covers, potholes and barely visible ramps cutting crosswise give you a clue.  It's for their own good, it is dangerous to walk on the sidewalk. Pedestrians should use a bit of common sense and fly or pay for a motorcycle taxi which will take them to their destination in safety and comfort

[brianthainess]

Artificial intelligence = RTP surely 

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

sidewalks led to the detection of 74,333 violations. Out of these, 8,415 vehicle owners were summoned to provide statements, 225 received warnings, and 410 were fined a total of 293,300 baht.

So out of 74,333, ...410 were fined have I done the math right that is 0.55% paid a fine. the average fine then is 715 baht,  wow such a deterrent. 

[BangkokReady]

44 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

So out of 74,333, ...410 were fined have I done the math right that is 0.55% paid a fine. the average fine then is 715 baht,  wow such a deterrent. 

 

And only 11% of offenders were even summoned.  Presumably the rest had removed their licence plates to avoid being identified.

[mfd101]

The Chinese government is expert in crowd control & use of AI ...

[johng]

Another step along the path to a total surveillance totalitarian state...

"for your safety" of course.

[DonniePeverley]

Grab drivers are often going on pavements as 1) they are literally going up to the door of the shop, and 2) they have to rush the food to get it to the customer in a reasonable time. 

 

You literally cannot wait in traffic if you are delivering hot food. Hence they use pavements. 

 

It had stopped, but now pavement driving is in full force again. 

[Classic Ray]

33 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

And only 11% of offenders were even summoned.  Presumably the rest had removed their licence plates to avoid being identified.

Better to tow away bikes and cars, removes the problem and forces owners to pay the fines/fees before they can recover. It’s the only system that works.

 

Anything else just over- penalizes the generally law abiding who register their vehicles and fit plates, unlike most motorcyclists in Bangkok.

[BangkokReady]

4 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

Better to tow away bikes and cars, removes the problem and forces owners to pay the fines/fees before they can recover. It’s the only system that works.

 

Anything else just over- penalizes the generally law abiding who register their vehicles and fit plates, unlike most motorcyclists in Bangkok.

 

Unfortunately, very few people would likely support this.  Police, public, pretty much everyone enjoys the lawlessness of Thailand.

[RobU]

35 minutes ago, johng said:

Another step along the path to a total surveillance totalitarian state...

"for your safety" of course.

Same has already occurred in cities in the UK especially London 

[Bangkok Barry]

Will AI catch the police who ride their motorcycles on the sidewalk, or are they immune from the law?

[PETERTHEEATER]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

No one shall park or drive any vehicle on the sidewalks, except for entering a building or as allowed by traffic officers.'”

Ah! Thanks for explaining that. Now I understand why I see policemen riding motorcycles on sidewalks.

[Mark17AA]

Intelligence and Thai in the same sentence.. can't be.

[cowellandrew]

15 hours ago, RobU said:

Same has already occurred in cities in the UK especially London 

Hasn't really stopped the stabbing epidemic!

 

[RobU]

2 hours ago, cowellandrew said:

Hasn't really stopped the stabbing epidemic!

 

I agree, the camera network has been in London for over 20 years. Most of London is covered by it. 

[it is what it is]

3 hours ago, cowellandrew said:

Hasn't really stopped the stabbing epidemic!

 

 

true. however, it is an amazingly powerful crime fighting tool, which has led directly to the successful conviction of many thousands of criminals, as well as being a key component in the fight against terrorism. nothing is perfect eh?!

[PMZ]

The term AI is so horribly overused at present, as Blockchain was a couple of years ago.

This activity seems more about CCTV than AI, nowhere is it explained what the AI part is doing. I suggests that the AI is doing analysis of whether a crime has taken place, but it is not clear...

This bit sounds like 'manpower' more than 'AI'... 'These images, along with the vehicle registration details, were sent to the City Law Enforcement Office to track down the owners for fines'.

 

 

[Rampant Rabbit]

On 4/13/2024 at 9:30 AM, DonniePeverley said:

You literally cannot wait in traffic if you are delivering hot food. Hence they use pavements. 

in a cold country maybe but when its 36c+ its not as critical

[Moonlover]

On 4/13/2024 at 9:13 AM, mfd101 said:

The Chinese government is expert in crowd control & use of AI ...

And their cities also have excellent and safe pedestrian sidewalks. Their input here would be useful.

[richard_smith237]

On 4/13/2024 at 3:05 AM, webfact said:

Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers.

 

When all they really needed to do was get the Police to actually do their jobs !!....     

 

... But, when the Police are also some of the main offenders, what can we do ???...    

 

Camera's in areas of high population density are a great idea.... But they should not replace effective policing... Firstly, Thailand needs to actually have 'effective' police who are capable of dealing with illegal use of sidewalks, poor parking, the 'hazard light stop' (i.e. those who pop into 7-11 and think its because they put their hazard lights on etc)....

 

Effective Police Patrols and fining is still the way forwards - not just BMA fining vaping tourists. 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, PMZ said:

The term AI is so horribly overused at present, as Blockchain was a couple of years ago.

This activity seems more about CCTV than AI, nowhere is it explained what the AI part is doing. I suggests that the AI is doing analysis of whether a crime has taken place, but it is not clear...

This bit sounds like 'manpower' more than 'AI'... 'These images, along with the vehicle registration details, were sent to the City Law Enforcement Office to track down the owners for fines'.

 

Agreed... I think this AI means automated camera's that generated automated fines for those riding on pavements and parking illegally. 

 

I wonder if the 'automation' will automatically 'ignore' the Police who themselves are also offenders.