Tashkent Manages Traffic Flow to Maintain Level 6 Congestion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Vehicle traffic on the streets of Tashkent increased by 30 percent on 2 September, the first day of the new academic year, compared to a standard working day on 24 August.

Despite the increase in the number of vehicles, the overall citywide road congestion indicator was held at level 6, according to the Tashkent Traffic Management Center.

Traffic slowed on specific sections of the capital, but a critical increase in congestion was avoided.

The center noted that a 30 percent increase in traffic flow creates a significant load on the interconnected intersection network. When intersection capacity approaches its limit, even a slight increase in vehicle numbers can cause a substantial growth in queues.

Road conditions are controlled through the Tashkent Traffic Management Center's Situation Center. Nearly all key signalized intersections in the city are connected to its digital system. Specialists monitor traffic movement, traffic light operations, queue formation, and public transport in real time.

Morning, afternoon, and evening periods are analyzed separately, alongside conditions near educational institutions and on the most heavily loaded thoroughfares. This monitoring allows specialists to identify growing queues before local congestion spreads to neighboring streets.

When queues increase, specialists evaluate traffic intensity and conditions on adjacent road sections. Depending on the situation, they adjust green light durations, alter signal phases, and synchronize neighboring traffic lights. Traffic continues to be monitored after adjustments to evaluate the results.

If congestion is caused by accidents, stopped vehicles, lane closures, roadwork, or parking violations, information is dispatched to officers from the Road Safety Management Department of the Tashkent City Police Department's Public Safety Service. Manual traffic control, lane clearance, or safe detours are organized on-site when necessary. Road, municipal, emergency, and other specialized services may also be deployed.

To coordinate operations, a working group functions within the Situation Center, comprising representatives from the Tashkent Traffic Management Center, the Tashkent Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Development, the Road Safety Management Department of the Tashkent City Police Department's Public Safety Service, and public transport dispatch services. Engineers, transport modeling specialists, analysts, and programmers also participate in the working group.

Foreign experts analyze the road situation alongside local specialists, examining traffic distribution, causes of congestion, and the effectiveness of operational decisions.

The center stated that intensified monitoring will continue over the coming days.

As classes begin at universities, academic lyceums, technical colleges, and other educational institutions, traffic loads on city roads may increase in stages.