Detran installs Traffic Light Control Center
Technology and monitoring enhance road safety in Pará
The State Traffic Department (Detran) has implemented the Smart Cities Traffic Light Center, which has been temporarily relocated from the agency's headquarters in Belém to a new post set up specifically for COP30, with the aim of reinforcing operations and inspections during the event. This initiative represents a technological milestone in traffic management, allowing for real-time monitoring and remote control of traffic light signaling.
The Center operates as an advanced control center, with cameras attached to traffic lights that transmit real-time images of the roads. From the headquarters, operators can manage the operation of the equipment, identify failures, and adjust signaling times immediately, using satellite and internet technology.
According to the traffic engineering coordinator of Detran, Jorge Henrique Lima, the Center is an essential step to ensure more efficient control of traffic light signaling. “We observed that some cities in the interior lacked adequate control. This center is already connected to traffic lights in several municipalities and is in the study phase in others. The proposal is to reach about 50% of the cities in the State, integrating technology and traffic management,” he explained.
The structure consists of two units: one installed at Detran's headquarters and another at the company responsible for implementing the systems. Together, they operate 24 hours a day, allowing for the monitoring and control of all installed traffic light equipment.
With georeferencing technology, Detran can also accurately identify the positioning of each traffic light and its behavior within the road system, ensuring quick responses in case of incidents or traffic interruptions. “The impact of this center goes beyond regulating vehicle flow. It represents an advance in building smart cities by integrating technology into traffic management, promoting a safer and more modern environment for all citizens,” concluded Jorge Lima.
Smart traffic lights enhance road safety
Detran is also continuing the implementation of smart traffic lights in various municipalities, aiming to optimize urban mobility and increase traffic safety.
So far, 47 new devices have been installed in Juruti, Igarapé-Miri, Barcarena, Rio Maria, Marituba, Santa Izabel, and Ananindeua, in the area of the old 40 Horas roundabout. Another 53 are installed in Conceição do Araguaia, Castanhal, Santarém, and Ananindeua (BR-316), with plans for new smart traffic lights in Bragança and Cametá.
Connected to the Control Center via satellite, the new devices allow for real-time monitoring, speeding up adjustments and interventions. In Santarém, for example, smart traffic lights already contribute to the safe crossing of pedestrians in high-traffic areas, especially during peak hours.
As part of the actions aimed at COP 30, Belém received more than 350 new smart traffic lights, ensuring greater fluidity in traffic and reducing congestion on the city's main roads.
Text by Luis Azevedo / Ascom Detran
