A week ago while unveiling the Lagos Traffic Radio Live Camera Update (LCU) project, the Lagos State government officials did not fail to elucidate the sordid state of vehicular traffic situation in the state adjudged to be the commercial capital of Africa’s most populous country and the urgent need to tackle the problem.
They posited that there was a need to develop the city as it rapidly expands due to the thousands of Nigerians moving into the state every day in search of opportunities.
The best way as far as they are concerned to do that and meet the yearnings of the people in today’s world of dynamism is through innovative thinking and deployment of appropriate technologies.
Thus, the officials noted that it has become imperative for both private and public institutions to continually reinvent, re-strategize and innovate new ways of doing things to meet the demands of present-day society.
For the various speakers at the forum, the Lagos Traffic Radio remains one of the agencies of the Lagos State government that has continuously leveraged technological advancement in providing timely, accurate traffic information to the teeming residents of the state.
Tapping into the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus developmental agenda of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, Lagos Traffic Radio under the legendary leadership of its General Manager Mr. Tayo Akanle has also spread its tentacles to extend its services to capture all the vision of the present administration by embracing technology in its information dissemination.
The good news is that quality traffic information is currently being disseminated to commuters using various modes of transportation, including road, waterways and railway.
Overtime, the station has in no small measure assisted the government in building the confidence of commuters towards embracing all the modes of transportation, especially the waterways since 40 per cent of the state is covered by water bodies and wetland.
LEADERSHIP checks showed that the Lagos Traffic Radio through its rich Programme content, performs lots of educational functions, equipping vehicle owners, commuters and the public with salient information about the various routes, while its social media platforms target youth inclusion, feedback and public participation.
As it stands currently, the digital transformation of Lagos Traffic Radio is not just about technology itself but about people.
The General Manager of the station, Mr. Tayo Akanle who has been consistently improving on ways of disseminating traffic information since 2018 when he became the head of the Radio Station innovatively introduced traffic updates on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and across some other channels to provide real time traffic information for the station’s online audience, giving them new experience and a wider audience for government information as well.
Since its establishment, Lagos State Traffic Radio has evolved through different stages by leveraging technology to improve its broadcasting functions.
Presently, the station utilizes digital platforms to deliver traffic reports, weather updates, and emergency alerts, ensuring that listeners stay informed and always prepared.
Basking in the euphoria of this innovation and achievements, Lagos Traffic Radio which started as a traffic information dissemination platform that relies solely on updates from officials Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), in the last eleven years crossed several hurdles of easing commuting in Lagos State through the collation of traffic updates.
It also introduced “Motorbike Live Reports” launched in September 15, 2020, to totally change the narrative in traffic reporting, as incidents and impediments induced traffic logjam were timely and accurately reported, to guide commuters and other road users.
Another transformation was the introduction of a 15-minute traffic update which was reviewed to 10-minute traffic update in 2019 due to current realities of increased influx of vehicular movements in the state.
The expansion of the station’s traffic information dissemination to those traveling by air, (Flight Schedule), waterways, rail and goods landing at the Ports, (Shipping Position) is not only a commendable initiative, but it is also geared towards the attainment of the T pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda which stands for Traffic Management and Transportation.
Some of the key factors that set Lagos Traffic Radio apart are its commitment and intentional steps taken to provide real-time traffic updates. Through its dedicated team and advanced technology, the radio station offers accurate and up-to-date information on road conditions, accidents, and traffic congestion. This information is invaluable for commuters, as it allows them to plan their journeys more effectively and avoid heavily congested areas.
The most recent in the digital transformation process of Lagos Traffic Radio, was the recently launched Live Camera Update Project, LCU.
Expectedly, this could not have been possible without the collaboration of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
More so, the initiative has its origin from the Lagos State Smart City project, which is designed to achieve multi-level integration leveraging digital and communication technologies to optimize city functions and drive economic growth, while also improving the well-being of individuals living in the city.
The LCU gives the station a bird’s-eye view of the roads, enabling the transmission of real time traffic information that allows commuters to make informed decisions about their routes. Whether it is spotting a bottleneck or identifying an alternative route, the Live Camera Update Project empowers commuters to navigate the city more efficiently.
According to a Lagos based Public Affairs analyst, Bolade Badmus, ‘’The Live Camera Update Project will refine and enhance the station’s traffic update delivery and travel advisories to Lagosians by solving the challenges of latency of updates, that is delay in getting updates to Commuters and motorists, reducing inaccurate description traffic situations by stakeholders, and the ever-dynamic traffic situation around the metropolis. This is indeed an innovative solution to these challenges.
‘’Furthermore, the availability of alternative routes through the Live Camera Update feature helps in alleviating congestion. By dispersing traffic across different roads, the overall flow of vehicles improves, resulting in shorter travel times and reduced frustration for commuters.
‘’This will not only save time but will also enhance productivity, as individuals can arrive at their destinations more efficiently.
‘’The LCU initiative will complement other means of engaging the station’s listeners by encouraging active user participation through various channels, including social media platforms and dedicated mobile apps. Commuters can share their own observations, report incidents, and seek advice from fellow travellers. This interactive element fosters a sense of community and collective problem-solving, making the daily commuting a shared experience.
‘’The digital transformation in radio broadcasting being exemplified by Lagos State Traffic Radio, is essential to adapt to the changing media landscape as it will enhance accessibility, interactivity, and the overall listening experience for the radio audience. By embracing the various digital platforms made possible for radio listeners through the deployment of technologies, radio stations can continue to connect with their audience and provide valuable content in innovative ways.
‘’With the deployment of LCU by station, the initiative will transform the commuting experience for Lagosians. Through real-time visuals, interactive engagement, and a focus on safety and efficiency, this feature will become an indispensable tool for navigating the city’s busy roads.
The General Manager of the station, Mr. Tayo Akanle has assured that as technology continues to evolve, Lagos Traffic Radio remains committed to providing commuters with the most accurate and up-to-date information, ensuring smoother and more enjoyable journeys for all.
According to him, the impact of Lagos Traffic Radio extends beyond just providing information, saying that by alerting drivers of potential hazards and congested areas, the radio station plays a vital role in enhancing road safety.
He explained that the station helps commuters to adjust their driving behaviour, accordingly thereby reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring a safer journey for everyone on the road.
Looking ahead, he said the Lagos Traffic Radio is continuously evolving to meet the needs of commuters and may be exploring the integration of artificial intelligence to analyse traffic patterns and predict potential bottlenecks.
At the inauguration of the project recently, Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi said that the Live Camera Update Infrastructure was acquired to boost the capacity of the station to provide timely, accurate and dynamic traffic reportage and travel advisory to its teeming listeners.
He said the real-time information update would address challenges faced by the traffic managers.
Osiyemi said, “The Live Camera Update application will enhance the capacity of the radio station to provide timely, reliable, accurate and dynamic information reportage and travel advisory to teeming Lagosians.
“As a result of this commitment which is in line with the Smart City project, we have achieved significant improvement in addressing operational challenges in several areas including traffic management, health care service, land management, urban planning and law enforcement.
“The use of technological tools have become imperative in a city like ours with a high and increasing population. The Lagos traffic radio live camera infrastructure being commissioned today is therefore an addition of a technological driven initiative adopted by this administration to enhance free flow of traffic in the metropolis.
“The technology will address challenges ranging from collating information, inaccurate update delivery by our LASMA officials, the ever-changing dynamism of traffic information which still subsists.
“The digital cameras will help the station to get live updates which will encourage real-time traffic reportage from the live cameras situated at strategic locations across the state.”
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso said the metropolitan nature of Lagos with an ever-increasing population had made it imperative for the state to continue to innovate in addressing traffic situations in the state.
He stated that with several innovations that had often been introduced in the station since its inception 11 years ago, adding that it was an affirmation of the state government’s resolve to address challenges of traffic logjam in the state.
