RIYADH, 27 May 2008 — Surveillance cameras will soon be introduced on roads across the Kingdom to monitor traffic violations in an SR2-billion project that will see the end of manually operated speed checks, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported.
“The project for automated detection of traffic violations has been approved by the Ministry of Interior and is in its final stage. The project has been designed in collaboration with foreign companies and will be implemented in various regions in the Kingdom,” said Col. Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil, director of traffic in Riyadh.
“Special cameras fitted with remote sensing devices will monitor speeding cars on highways and send digitally recorded images to a control center. Cameras will be installed on expressways and at city exit points.
The system would be programmed in such a way that cameras will record the details of cars that speed,” he said, adding that cameras will also monitor speed in towns and cities, and those that run red lights.
He added that the system, which has been tested in certain intersections in Riyadh and Jeddah, has reduced violations by 65 percent. The recent application of the system in Melbourne, Australia, brought down accidents caused by running signals to 30 percent, he said, adding that several accident-prone intersections had already been identified.
To begin with, the Traffic Department will be implementing the system in Riyadh with the help of the Riyadh Development Authority.
A team of experts will undertake the installation of cameras and other devices at the previous selected locations.
International experts appointed by the ministry will supervise the operation of the project. These experts, who should examine the designing and structural procedures of the system, would also guarantee that the devices agree with the required specifications and standards. They would also ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of the system, and submit an evaluation report to the ministry.
