The semi-automated system, introduced in April by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, links traffic cameras with locally developed software capable of identifying five common traffic violations, including running red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road, blocking designated lanes, stopping in unauthorized areas and picking up or dropping off passengers at undesignated locations.

Additional Police Commissioner for Traffic Anisur Rahman said the pilot project cost about $50,000, with roughly half allocated to software development and the remainder spent on cameras and server infrastructure.

The system currently relies on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras installed at seven intersections. When a violation is detected, the software generates a digital case file using recorded footage, after which authorities manually review the evidence before notices are sent to registered vehicle owners through text messages and postal mail.

Rahman said manual verification remains necessary because Bangladesh’s existing road infrastructure was not designed for automated enforcement and certain situations, such as drivers temporarily violating traffic rules to accommodate pedestrians or auto-rickshaws, could lead to incorrect detections. Motorists also retain the right to seek a review of any charges.

Authorities said the technology is also helping optimize traffic signal timing by monitoring vehicle volumes from different directions, allowing officers to adjust signals more efficiently while retaining the option to switch the system to manual control when required.

According to Rahman, average vehicle speeds have improved noticeably since the system was introduced. He said vehicles in Dhaka moved at an average speed of 4.2 kilometers per hour in 2024, while current traffic conditions have shown visible improvements following the deployment of the pilot.

Dhaka, a city of more than 22 million residents, has long struggled with severe traffic congestion, irregular lane discipline and widespread traffic-rule violations despite repeated government efforts to improve road management. Traffic officers have frequently been required to manually regulate busy intersections.

Police plan to install 60 additional camera systems across the city this year and double that number next year, with the aim of gradually extending AI-assisted traffic management throughout Dhaka.

Officials said one of the most immediate effects has been a change in driver behavior, with motorists becoming more cautious about violating traffic rules because they know vehicle movements are continuously monitored.

Professional driver Abul Bashar said many motorists had previously ignored traffic signals and lane markings but had become more disciplined since the cameras were installed because violations could now result in formal enforcement actions without direct interaction with traffic officers.

Ride-share driver Karimul Mawla said shorter waiting times at major intersections had improved vehicle movement and enabled drivers to complete more trips during the day, contributing to higher daily earnings.