China helps Yangon to ease its traffic congestion

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Myanmar's economic reforms have been a boon for many. Among the 10 fastest growing economies in 2017, the country’s rapid development leads to another set of rising figures: The number of cars on the country's roads, which has almost doubled since the government lifted restrictions six years ago.

Traffic jams have almost brought Yangon to a standstill.

New traffic signal project in place to regulate Yangon traffic./CGTN Photo

With years of experience in harnessing its own traffic, China’s new traffic command center has been put into full operation in Yangon. It's the first time a Chinese traffic signal project has been constructed in a foreign country.

24/7 high-resolution cameras capture road conditions and stream them back to the command center for analysis. Monitoring traffic at 154 different intersections, the traffic command center will make good use of information and come up with integrated traffic solutions.

Dr. Qian Gongbin is the chief engineer of the smart traffic system./CGTN Photo

“In Yangon, more than 6.5 million trips are using road transport every day. The system is built to provide safe and smooth traffic control service for the commuters and logistics in the city," said Dr. Qian Gongbin, the chief engineer of this project. With his team, Dr. Qian studied the local driving behavior, traffic rules and traffic lights for a long time.

In some busy crossroads, the new system could cut the waiting time by half, optimize lane efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

To local residents, the new system helps relieve traffic pressure and largely improve the traffic condition in general. In addition to regulating the traffic flow, the new traffic command center could also monitor violations, reducing accidents and improving overall safety.

Mapping and testing of the smart traffic system continues well into the night./CGTN Photo

By upgrading the infrastructure, Qian hopes the new system will also introduce a new set of practices.

"It not only builds the traffic control infrastructures but also provides operation service and traffic management solutions. More importantly, it delivers the experience and standards which proved to be efficient in China to the local engineering industry.”