The recently introduced digital traffic signal has proved effective in traffic management as city people are showing positive response to the system, observed the traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Both drivers and pedestrians are now more conscious about following traffic signals and rules instead of competing against each other for moving ahead, said Ansar Uddin Khan

Pathan, deputy commissioner of DMP traffic (South).

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) introduced the digital traffic signal system in December last year at 69 intersections at a cost of Tk 14 crore to improve the city's traffic management under the donor-funded Dhaka Urban Transport Project (DUTP).

Pathan said traffic situation has improved at most of these points including Gulshan-1 and 2, Matsya Bhaban, Shahbagh, Science Laboratory and Sonargaon Hotel intersection

after introduction of digital signals.

The digital signal is needed in all 276 intersections in the city to ease traffic congestion, he said, adding that people's growing awareness about the system and rules have encouraged them to install the system at other points.

The traffic policemen on duty at different intersections have also expressed their satisfaction over the digital system as they observed that people's tendency of violating rules has

declined. Some traffic cops however observed problems with the duration of each signal.

Ehsan, a traffic sergeant at Sonargaon intersection, said drivers can now easily follow rules as the signals can be seen from a long distance.

Drivers and pedestrians also said they have found the digital traffic system very helpful to get rid of traffic congestion. "It is better to follow signals rather than waiting for a long time in the long tailback with an uncertainty," a driver said.