Photograph — newfortunetimes

As part of plans to cut road accidents by twenty-five percent in 2021 and fifty percent by 2026, Morocco has initiated plans to automate its traffic system. Minister of Public Works, Transport, Logistics and Water, Abdelkader Amara, opened the bidding window for the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of over 500 devices for detecting traffic violations.

A statement from the ministry listed 276 speed control devices, 204 monitoring devices, and some 72 highway speed monitoring devices. The new systems are expected to not only detect speed limits and traffic stop violations but record multiple offenders (as many as 24 cars at once) down to the car’s specific makeup. The authorities also expect that the devices will be linearly placed on highway network roads so that each road user’s average speed across distances can be measured.

Three companies were in the running for the contract. Moroccan Al Omra Group, German Vitronic, and Emirates-based Vitronic Middle East have all submitted bids for the national contract. German Vitronic, who announced that they had been awarded the contract, suggested traffic violations were very high in the Middle East and North Africa region. Its statement said, “In comparison to Europe, the MENA-region registers both a higher caseload and processed case data centrally. The software used, POLISCAN OFFICE PRO, makes it possible to process the cases of several thousands of checkpoints, while simultaneously minimizing human resources.” While the software can reportedly process 2,000 cases per day, when used in the MENA region it can reach 250,000.

Vitronic said they were awarded the contract because of the worldwide performance and reliability of its POLISCAN system. Accordingly, the laser-powered systems will be deployed in twelve country regions and within Metropolises like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh. Vitronic will also supply the back-office software for case data processing, as well as equip and staff four service locations in the country.

“We are very pleased that our systems will contribute significantly to the country’s national traffic safety strategy. This comprehensive project contract plays an important role in our company’s strategic focus on the North African market,” said Youssef El Hansali, CEO MENA Subsidiary of Vitronic.

In February this year, Morocco’s Ministry of Transport, Equipment, and Logistics distributed 280 intelligent radars to the Royal Gendarmerie and national police. The devices were installed to catch drivers not wearing seat belts, talking on the phone, or blocking traffic.

Last year, Morocco recorded a 7.5 percent increase in road accidents, with 66,343 cases against 61,686 in 2017, which caused the deaths of over 3,000 people and 88,000 injured. The country’s road accident data has increased since 2015, forcing the authorities to initiate a 7-year plan. The first African road safety forum held in Morocco last year.

By Caleb Ajinomoh

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