Intellectual transport management system to cover areas around Baku
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan's Transport Ministry plans to start working over the second phase of creating the intellectual transport management system in the country this year, spokesperson Namiq Hasanov told Trend news agency on Monday.
An intellectual transport management (ITM) system which costs more than $95 million was launched in Azerbaijan in December 2011.
Hasanov said that within the second phase it is planned to cover the settlements of Baku and the Absheron peninsula -- which encompasses the capital city and its surrounding districts.
"The operations will be launched to expand the coverage area of the ITM system this year, but it is difficult to cite an exact date," he said.
The operations are to be carried out in three stages. The first stage covers Baku, while the second stage - the whole Absheron peninsula, and the third stage covers the highways of the country. After full commissioning, the system will be controlled from a center in Baku.
The creation of the ITM system envisions installation of 664 information terminals and 48 billboards, which have been placed along the streets of Baku. In order to introduce the system, 639 special parking areas will be created for buses, along with about 140 such sites for taxis.
The Transport Ministry completed the installation of communication devices in buses under the ITM system implementation in May 2012. The devices provide data on bus trips and drivers, which is under centralized control.
According to the ITM center, the introduction of intelligent transport management systems in the whole territory of Azerbaijan is planned to be completed in 2014-2015.
Card payments
A transition to the card payment system in buses is also planned within the second phase of implementing the ITM system in Azerbaijan by late 2013, Hasanov noted.
Hasanov added that at present, work is underway to introduce a new payment system in public transport.
Introducing a new payment system requires the installation of turnstiles and devices for cards, terminals for ordering the cards, and the entrance and exit system.
Hasanov said that 1,200 new buses are required to upgrade the bus fleet in Baku.
According to the Transport Ministry, some 450 new busses were put into service in Azerbaijan in 2012. At present 2,321 busses are in service in Baku.
In connection with the ITM system implementation, it is planned to reduce the number of bus routes in the capital from 217 to 174.
In 2012, the Transport Ministry said that first, making payments will be possible by both cards and cash. Turnstiles will be placed in 3,000 buses.
The number of bus accidents has recently increased in Baku.Studies show that bus drivers violate traffic rules while trying to exceed the targeted daily amount of money they pay to their employer, which determines their earnings.
One of the advantages of using a card payment system is fixed salary for bus drivers. The wage will be agreed between the driver and his employer, and the ministry will not interfere in this matter.
The Main State Traffic Police Department set up a special working group to carry out raids in order to increase public transport drivers' discipline and to minimize traffic accidents. Each raid results in some 50 buses being sent to impound lots.