Bangladesh puts AI in driving seat to tackle terrible traffic

Dhaka, Bangladesh’s densely populated capital known for severe traffic congestion, has implemented its first AI-powered traffic enforcement system to manage and improve the city’s notorious gridlock.
The AI system, which began operating in April, links traffic cameras to software that automatically detects and records traffic violations, issuing on-the-spot fines to rule-breaking vehicles.
Early feedback suggests a positive shift in driver behavior, as enforcement officers report fewer confrontations and disobedience from motorists since the introduction of AI monitoring.
The city, often cited as the slowest in the world, has struggled to upgrade its traffic management despite ongoing modernization attempts, but now uses existing traffic cameras integrated with AI software to identify offenses, such as signal violations, lane infractions, and illegal parking.
While not fully implemented city-wide, the new system has already produced measurable results, prosecuting at least 300 vehicles and recording nearly 800 violations in a single day.
Significant challenges remain, such as identifying blurred number plates and adapting enforcement to include Dhaka’s multitude of pedal rickshaws, which currently fall outside the system’s scope.
Long-term success depends on consistent enforcement and accountability from authorities, according to experts who argue that past efforts have often lacked sustained support and follow-up.

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