17.04.2017

Smart transportation systems, smart city projects, monitoring and control systems, data storage systems are some of the "Smart City Technologies" developed by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). IMM’s mayor Mr. Kadir Topbaş continues to put new projects into service which help make İstanbul the model metropolis in the world with revolutionary ideas in urban transportation. Within this scope, the task of placing monitoring cameras in public transportation vehicles was given to the UKOME and İTK Committees with circular letter issued by the Police Department to investigate forensic events, terror acts that may occur in Istanbul.  By means of those monitoring cameras, all kind of information and evidences will quickly be obtained regarding crimes. IMM keeps working for the development of smart city concept and the improvement of public transport service quality and continues to support Police Department with its new projects. 

Smart transportation technologies not only include implementation of technological infrastructure but it also includes projects which supports public security. Within this scope, İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Public Transport Services Directorate initiated Smart Monitoring Project to install  below equipment to public transport vehicles:

• In-vehicle monitoring cameras,
• Vehicle tracking unit,
• Panic button

All public transport vehicles will be remotely monitored and managed by “Public Transport Control and Management Center”. With this project, İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality aims to achieve below targets:

• Track public transport vehicles’ routes and locations,
• Have a "Safe Trip" which is always monitored by control operators,
• Have a public transport system which is coordinated by the control center during disasters and emergencies.

Thanks to Public Transport Control and Management Center software, it will be possible to control public transport vehicles, obtain 24/7 location and speed information of vehicles, get accident and emergency information, and route information for public transportation vehicles. It does also allow operators/managers to get instant/historic reports for those vehicles. This new technology provides both passengers’ and drivers’ safety, and helps avoid theft, extortion, traffic rule violations. Moreover, the system helps prevent unfair complaints and treatment which may arise during travels.

All minibuses and taxies will be included in the system and the participation to the system will be completed by getting an appointment via the website of the Transportation Services Directorate and taking the public transport vehicle to the location where the system is to be installed. Setting up the necessary equipment process will be carried out between 09:00pm and 07:00am not to avoid public vehicles' daily services.

Benefits of the Project to Citizen/Travelers:

• Safety Travel,
• Discourage for potential crimes,
• Quickly finalization of complaints,
• Decrement in traffic accidents/traffic violations which result in both damages/losses.

85 minibuses and 87 taxi-cabs (a total of 172 vehicles) have been equipped with this Smart Monitoring System so far. With the completion of the system, 6460 minibuses and 572 taxis' all activities will be monitored with 28128 cameras installed in 7032 vehicles. Installation of Smart Monitoring System into public transport vehicles is still continuing.