Since 2010, AccessKenya has provided live feeds on traffic in Nairobi and Mombasa through its portal traffic.accesskenya.com. This month, it has moved a step further to develop a public pilot program launched recently in conjunction with IBM targeted to reduce traffic on Kenyan roads.
Reports say that over two million vehicles on Nairobi’s roads congest roads each day, accounting for loss of Ksh50 million in productivity costs.
According to AccessKenya Group MD Kris Senanu, the newly launched initiative is of great value to both IBM and AccessKenya Group as a practical solution that would help control traffic, thus benefit the driving public. Thus, the mobile phone service will provide drivers with live updates on traffic while suggest alternative routes with less traffic.
In conjunction with IBM Research Africa, IBM has provided mathematical algorithms and analytical solution that allows commuters to access data from cameras through their mobile phones in real time while providing suggestions on less congested routes.
“We have availed our huge database of video feeds captured on our 36 CCTV Cameras covering various Strategic roads within Nairobi and Mombasa,” Senanu MD said in an interview.
According to IBM Research Africa Chief Scientist, Sid Dr Uyi Steward, Nairobi city stands to benefit from the use of technologies to manage their transport systems effectively. He noted that improving human mobility across Africa through the use of intelligent and analytical technology would remain a key focus set to be inaugurated in coming days.
In all, ahead of the public pilot officially launched recently, the USSD or short code based system has undergone two developmental tests. To sign up for the service based in Kenya, dial *384*3# on your mobile phones.