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UNZA students develops density controlled traffic system prototype

A University of Zambia student studying computer science at main campus has developed a density controlled traffic lights prototype as part of the efforts to locally come up with a smart traffic control system that can dynamically control changing traffic density.

The density controlled traffic lights system works more like the traffic control police who come in handy when different routes on the road have got different traffic densities.

The system works by counting traffic on all routes and dynamically assigns appropriate time slots to each route to avoid unnecessary delays. The prototype can also display the number of incoming and outing cars on a display. The system was designed to replace traffic lights which use static hard programmed times which are not smart enough to detect at any given time the status of traffic on the road.

The student identified as Mike Mudimba plans on adding more features to the system such as production of real time traffic statistics that can be displayed by motorists on their mobile devices, this will aid motorists navigate through traffic. The system may also come in handy in case of emergencies such as creating paths for Ambulances or government motorcades.

The computer science student has further called for funding to enable the full testing and production on live environment.

“We know similar technology exists in first world countries but there is no need to import something we can locally produce. We need to start supporting our own ideas and products”.

SOURCE: UNZA Network Facebook page

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32 COMMENTS

  1. If it were a political issue, there would have countless comments. Now that it is a scientific issue and the same no one wants to comment. As usual as black people are outsmarted because we are so dull scientifically. We only know cho-chise. UNZA student keep up the good work.

  2. Well done my friend hope this will be support up-to its fullest level. What i think of is coming up with an association for young scientists am also a graduate from and joined JETS club when i was in secondary school. won national fair on district level 5 times province level 4 times and national 2 times. get in touch with me if interested.

  3. This thinking was for the 18th Century.
    Now you need to think about satellite managed traffic control systems.
    Good for you though.

  4. THESE ARE THE MINDS ZAMBIA IS LOOKING FOR AND MY WISH IS THAT THIS MAN IS PRACTICALLY BACKED BY ZICTA TO HELP HIM FIND AN INDUSTRY LOCALLY THAT CAN DEVELOP THE SYSTEM AND START USING IT ON ZAMBIA’S ROADS AND EVEN EXPORT TO OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND YONDER. KEEP IT UP YOUNG MAN. WHAT YOU HAVE INNOVATED CAN BE A STANDARD FOR OUR ROADS IN ZAMBIA.

    • my students did a similar project at unza many years back. they just shelved the capstone project and its accumulating dust in the unza library. there are great innovations done by students in the whole of zambia. machines for sweeping the streets,garbagge collection. all done 10-20 years ago and they re not utilised. just like this idea will be shelved. believe me

  5. Great idea, in addition develop an App that uses crowdsourced data from its users to provide more accurate real-time info about how many cars are travelling towards the traffic lights, suggest alternative routes and provides estimated travel times based on the traffic.

  6. Wonderful. A very smart idea and forward thinking. Does the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ)sponsor students or projects?This concept needs to be developed and tested. Well done

  7. Though late it’s a good thing to do as this technology is already working in developed countries. It’s better to have something to show for being at uni rather than graduating and go to look for a job.

  8. I advise this young man to take his idea to PACRA and have it patented (protected)THEN CEEC.He just might get a pleasant surprise

  9. Well done for re-engineering the existing sensor based traffic controlled signalling system. The system exists gentlemen; those of you who live in developed countries may have seen line like cuts on the roads near traffic lights. What this young man has done is to re-engineer the mechanism and localise it. So he just needs support from |National roads something, to make sure the prototype can be tested, and implemented. |If zed was to buy the existing system, it could cost millions of dollars; but a localised system would be affordable.

  10. Good attempt though it should be made clear that these technologies have been in existence time immemorial and my hope is that its not stolen work of someone. I also notice that the workmanship on this “project” is rather pathetic (the soldering, wire connections etc) considering that times are now advanced.
    Nevertheless, its something that can be considered as local produce and cost effective.

  11. That’s very good hey, at least we hear positive news from the University of Zambia (UNZA), I am tired of your complaints about delay of bursaries and female students under bursary falling pregnant in third and second year! Congrats to Mike Mudimba

  12. Bravo to the GENIUS Student. ….. Ba Government now you have someone who can help RDA , Please support him before other countries get him or just plainly steal his ideas.

  13. At what rate is it changing.
    It required advanced AI. and can be done with less hardwars

  14. So sorry to disappoint you fellas, the system has been live in Johannesburg for years. A bit late in Zambia, but not new. The model shown in the photo is a bit disappointing. Good luck with your invention!

  15. Hands on learning. The education we need in Zambia. Not bookish. Keep it up young man.

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