In Bamako, power outage shuts down traffic lights

The density of road traffic in large cities means that real-time supervision is needed to avoid problems. In addition to road traffic company personnel, intersections in the capital are equipped with a traffic light system. However, power outages and certain sign failures have complicated traffic in many places.

Djibril Sidibé is the Director of Traffic Control and Urban Mobility Services at Bamako District Municipal Hall. According to him, different information feedback channels allow his service to know which intersections are blocked. “We monitor the intersections ourselves. We are contacted by some users who provide us with certain information about the operation of the traffic lights,” Mr. Sidibé explained. “The police officers on site also work very effectively with us to inform us of any light failures,” he added.

Timely management

Traffic users requested that traffic light failure situations be managed faster to avoid inconvenience. “They repair or completely replace the panels that are not working,” a young woman suggested. “Let them handle it as soon as possible to avoid inconvenience. Some users are unpredictable,” another user suggested.

Authorities at work

Djibril Sidibé, head of traffic control and urban mobility services in Bamako, assured that measures are regularly taken to manage reported faults and restore the normal operation of the signs. “Often, faults require a trip for our teams, as electricity distribution is often capricious,” explained the head of traffic control and urban mobility services in Bamako.

According to Bamako’s municipal hall, there are about 83 intersections in the city equipped with traffic lights. Currently, about ten of them use solar energy.