Lagos Traffic Radio, 96.1 FM, a foremost Traffic Radio in Africa, is set to unveil a new initiative tagged “Live Camera Update” (LCU) project. This is part of the Station’s vision and determination to ensure accurate traffic information and travel advisories to millions of residents in Lagos.
According to a statement signed by the General Manager of Traffic Radio, Tayo Akanle, the LCU project would boost traffic reportage and updates including travel advisories by providing real-time traffic information for the motoring public and commuters within and outside the State.
The General Manager further stated that the initiative is in line with current realities and dynamism of a society like ours of which the deployment of new technology and innovations are components that will not only make the station more relevant but also serve its purpose.
He said that the latency of traffic updates for instance, delays in getting updates to commuters and the motoring public, the ever-dynamic traffic situation around the metropolis and inaccurate description of traffic situation by Traffic Managers and other Stakeholders were major challenges which this technology-based innovative solution would resolve.
According to him, “The project which is in partnership with the State’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology was achieved through the Live Feeds from the Lagos Smart City Project, which includes the CCTV cameras installed on different roads in Lagos. It allows access to these feeds directly from the studios while translating them into real-time traffic information for commuters and motorists in Lagos and beyond”.
The process of connection, he further stated, entails an initial site survey, laying of fibre cables to connect the Station’s studios, termination and configuration of connection to the Data Centre, software installation and testing, and staff training among others.
Mr. Akanle averred that the station from its inception, has been partnering with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for the collation of traffic information, while the station uses the power of radio to communicate to the public, who in turn, uses such information to plan their journey accordingly. This effort is also complimented by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), TRACE Monitors in neighbouring Ogun State and motorists who also supply traffic information using the ‘Eyewitness Report Strategy’.
The General Manager noted that the Station also explored new vistas of opportunities in a bid to expand the horizon for her teeming audience in line with the Traffic Management and Transportation “T” pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda with the introduction of live reports from the waterways among others.
He further stressed the continuous increase in the station’s online audience base through leveraging technology, especially the New Media, which has enabled the creation of multiple platforms for traffic information and a wider reach for the dissemination of government information.
This, according to him, was achieved by re-invigorating and re-energising the official social media platforms through the application of tried–and–tested social media strategies and home-grown initiatives, pointing out that this has greatly provided the much-needed leap in the audience on these platforms.
He averred that the technology of live streaming has also been embraced in all the Station’s programmes, thus giving its online audience a new experience as they can now view their favourite programmes and presenters through live video from the studio.
The General Manager, however, hinted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be the Special Guest of Honor at the official inauguration of the Live Camera Update Project scheduled to be held on Thursday, 19th October 2023 at the Radio House, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, while the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso is the Chief Host.
