BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MEDIA FOR AFRICA

IBM, AccessKenya develop mobile traffic solution

IBM, AccessKenya develop mobile traffic solution
By Remmy Murule
11 Nov 2013

Global technology firm IBM and information technology and internet service provider, AccessKenya Group, have announced a newly developed traffic awareness solution that aims to curb traffic congestion in Nairobi, Kenya.

The solution, which is planned to provide drivers with live updates about the traffic and offer alternative less congested routes on their mobile phones, is expected to be piloted in Nairobi and later rolled out to other cities.

“We have availed our huge database of video feeds captured on our 36 CCTV cameras covering various strategic roads within Nairobi and Mombasa,” said Kris Senanu, managing director of internet at Access Kenya.

Uyi Stewart, chief scientist at IBM Research-Africa, noted that improving human mobility across Africa by use of intelligent and analytical technology would remain a key factor of the lab.

He added that Nairobi was among the cities that would benefit immensely from the application of technology in managing transport systems.

This initiative comes as a huge relief to Kenyans who have been looking forward to a permanent solution to the problem of congestion.

It is estimated that Kenya’s economy loses up to KSh50 million daily due to traffic jams.

The government has been trying to improve the railway transport by launching commuter trains in a bid to decongest the city but the slow nature of the project has seen the situation worsen.

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