The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) has invited tenders for the first phase of the Sh8.4 billion Nairobi Intelligent Transport System.
The contract calls for the renovation of 25 intersections, the building of a traffic management centre, the installation of six vehicle detection systems, a variable message sign that can inform motorists of accidents, delays, detours, special events, and other important road conditions or travel-related information, as well as the installation of a surveillance system with 20 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and a communications network.
The project, in accordance with the authority, will enhance the interchanges to handle the rising traffic demand.
Kenya has obtained a Sh8.4 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the Kura director general Silas Kinoti announced in a release on Tuesday.
“Kura is currently accepting sealed bids from qualified bidders for the execution of the project, which must be finished within 30 months of the start date. Additionally, the notice stated that the contractor would send specialists to offer support and assistance for a further two years after the project was finished.
Kura announced in May of last year that it had hired the Korean consortium Cheil Engineering Company Limited to handle the project’s first phase of construction as well as the bidding and design processes.
The consortium “will provide assistance in bid evaluation, negotiation, supervision of the project’s detailed engineering design, construction of the traffic management centre (TMC), and support in preparing for operation and maintenance,” according to a statement from Kura.
The Intelligent Transport System uses artificial intelligence to manage urban traffic.
It lessens the workload of traffic police officers by using intelligent cameras, variable traffic lights, and a control centre to monitor and control traffic.
In order to reduce unnecessary waiting times and increase traffic flow on the busiest roads, the system can analyse traffic flow data in real time.
A mobile electronic policing system that enables flexible monitoring of traffic patterns is also a part of the intelligent traffic control system.
Kura stated in January 2021 that the TMC’s design was finished and that plans were being made to start construction on the facility, which will be built on a 10-acre plot of land in the City Canabas neighbourhood on Mombasa Road.
Nairobi’s traffic management stakeholders, including traffic police officers, city engineers, and systems specialists who will monitor and act on traffic flow data in real time, will be housed on several floors of the TMC.