It’s all systems go as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) calls on bidders to apply for the Sh8.4 billion tender for the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (ITS) phase one project.
An ITS is a system in which information and communication technologies are applied in managing road transport and infrastructure. It uses intelligent cameras, variable timing traffic lights and a control centre to observe and control traffic, thereby reducing the burden on traffic police officers.
On Tuesday in a notice, Kura revealed that Kenya has received a Sh8.4 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea. The funds will be used for phase one of the project.
“KURA now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the implementation of the project,” reads the notice.
The bidding will be conducted through competitive procedures specified in the guidelines for procurement and is open to all eligible bidders that meet the minimum qualification criteria
The project, according to the Director General Silas Kinoti led authority, involves implementing a detailed design and construction of civil works for rehabilitation and improvement of 25 junctions to meet the adequate capacity for traffic demand.
Also, completion of the detailed design of the Traffic Management Center (TMC) building and implement the construction works with furniture, equipment and other facilities to operate the TMC building.
The ITS project also involves supplying and installing hardware and software to house its equipment and operate the new traffic management system at the TMC building.
“The project will involve the installation of ITS field equipment including traffic signal, signal control le, intersection, Surveillance camera and vehicle enforcement system in 25 junctions, 6 vehicle detection system, variable messages, a surveillance system comprising 20 closed circuit Tv ( CCTV) cameras and communication network.,” reads the notice.
The project shall be completed within 30 months from the commencement date as announced by the authority.
After the project is complete, the contractor shall dispatch experts for 2 years to support and assist the employer’s sustainable operations and maintenance.
The usage of ITS on Nairobi roads will replace the traffic police who control and attempt to manage traffic on the roads.
The ITS comprises three components, Advanced Traffic Management System, Advanced Travel Management System and Advanced Traffic Information System.
In November 2020, former President Uhuru Kenyatta directed Kura to build a Traffic Management Centre at City Cabanas to ease congestion on key Nairobi roads.
He also said they redesign and signalise 25 new intersections and set up 100 new road junctions.
“The control centre will utilise traffic cameras and censors and harmonise location data to provide a synchronised signal at 100 new junctions in addition to the existing traffic lights,” Uhuru said then.
Kinoti revealed that on February 15, 2021, Kura signed a Sh16 billion contract with South Korea Export-Import Bank to implement the construction of the Traffic Management Centre and connect 102 junctions.
Phase I involves the construction of TMC and connecting 25 junctions while in Phase II, Kura will connect an extra 77 junctions.
Kinoti said the agency is also automating traffic signals in 102 junctions across the country and making them intelligent.
The ITS was first rolled out in Seven junctions along Ring Road as a pilot project financed by Kura after engineers went to Japan to benchmark how it is used.
The main objective of the project is to decongest the city, promote road safety and enhance urban mobility.
With the ITS, the government is keen to take managing the traffic situation in the city of Nairobi a notch higher.
