Abstract

Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion has severe socio-economic impacts, yet

few management frameworks have been developed for its unique context.
This thesis uses secondary data (academic studies, government reports,
traffic statistics) to analyze congestion causes, effects, and international
practices, and then proposes a Management Information Systems (MIS)–
based conceptual model tailored to Dhaka. The literature review covers
demand drivers (population growth, vehicle surge), supply constraints (poor
infrastructure, limited transit), and outcomes (lost work hours, pollution,
health costs), supplemented by comparisons with Singapore, Tokyo, and
London policies. Research objectives include identifying root causes of
congestion in Dhaka, reviewing global best practices, and designing a data-
driven traffic management framework. The methodology involves
comparative case analysis and conceptual modeling, integrating ITS, GIS,
IoT, and Big Data analytics. Expected contributions are a comprehensive
examination of Dhaka’s congestion and a novel MIS framework for urban
traffic planning. Implications discuss how data infrastructures and policies
must align to implement such systems; limitations include data quality and
institutional barriers; and future work suggests piloting the framework and
evaluating its impacts.

Introduction
Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, is one of the world’s fastest-growing cities (over
21 million people) and now suffers among the worst traffic congestion
globally. Recent reports ranked Dhaka as the world’s fifth-worst city for
traffic delays (up from ninth in 2022)[1]. Policymakers estimate that
congestion costs Bangladesh roughly US$6.5 billion per year (2020 data) in
lost productivity, wasted fuel, and health impacts[2]. Commuters in Dhaka
routinely spend several hours stuck in traffic each day[3][2], contributing to
poor air quality and high stress. The problem is driven by rapid population
growth and motorization, inadequate road infrastructure, and weak public
transit, all compounded by fragmented traffic management. An MIS approach
– leveraging data and information technology to optimize transport systems
– offers promise to address these issues. Intelligent Transportation Systems
(ITS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors,
and Big Data analytics have improved urban traffic flow worldwide. This
thesis examines Dhaka’s congestion challenge through a Management
Information Systems lens: analyzing causes and impacts with secondary
data, learning from benchmark cities (Singapore, Tokyo, London), and
designing a conceptual MIS framework for congestion management in
Dhaka.
Background and Literature Review
Congestion Causes in Dhaka. Traffic congestion occurs when travel
demand exceeds roadway capacity[4]. In Dhaka’s case, explosive population
growth and urbanization have vastly increased vehicle demand. In the last
few decades, Dhaka’s population grew from 4.4 million in 1980 to over 21
million in 2021[5]. This has driven a sharp rise in private vehicles: over 80%
of Dhaka’s motorized traffic is two-wheelers and cars, far more than the
0.3% share of four-wheelers would suggest[6]. Public transit options (mostly
buses) have not kept pace, so city residents are forced into taxis, rickshaws,
ride-hail and personal vehicles[7][8]. Inadequate infrastructure exacerbates
the problem: many roads were built long ago for far less traffic and lack
extra capacity. Studies note that Dhaka’s arterial roads are narrow and
fragmented, without enough grade-separation or bypass routes, causing
severe bottlenecks during rush hours[8]. Traffic laws and management
practices are also weak; for example, illegal parking and encroachments
frequently block lanes (Section 4.5 of the proposal). In sum, the combination
of high demand and limited supply – poor road design, lacking mass transit,
and lax traffic management – leads to chronic gridlock in Dhaka (vehicles
often crawl <15 km/h during peak times[9]).
Impacts of Congestion. The consequences of Dhaka’s congestion are
documented in recent studies. According to Ali et al. (2023), Dhaka drivers
now lose over 8 million work-hours per day to traffic delays (up from 5 million
in 2017)[3]. This time loss translates directly into economic costs. For
example, the BUET Accident Research Institute (ARI) reported that Dhaka’s
gridlock cost the nation Tk56,000 crore (~US$6.5 billion) in 2020[2]. These
losses come from wasted fuel and productivity as well as increased vehicle
operating costs. Congestion also harms public health: queues of idling
vehicles elevate air pollution (particulate matter and NOx), worsening
respiratory conditions[10]. One study noted that traffic congestion in Dhaka
significantly degrades air quality and increases disease risk[10]. On the
social side, longer commute times reduce quality of life and contribute to
stress and lost family time[11]. In sum, studies consistently find that Dhaka’s
congestion has sizeable environmental, health, and economic impacts (e.g.,
the studies by Hossain and Rahman (2019) and by Ali et al., 2023).
Global Comparisons: Singapore, Tokyo, and London. Lessons from
other megacities offer context for Dhaka’s situation. Singapore employs an
electronic congestion pricing system (ERP) and extensive ITS deployment.
Since 1998, Singapore’s ERP tolls have dynamically priced road entry,
reducing peak congestion levels[12][13]. For example, traffic volumes in the
CBD dropped by roughly 10–15% after ERP was implemented[12], and today
over 60% of Singapore’s commuters use public transit (bus/MRT), a mode
share that has risen to ~65% by 2023[12][13]. As a result, Singapore
typically maintains optimal highway speeds (30–40 mph on expressways)
despite high density[12]. The city also uses ITS (variable message signs,
adaptive signals) and integrates traffic data for real-time management.
Tokyo’s traffic management emphasizes smart technology and planning.
Japan’s highway networks use ETC 2.0 devices (in-vehicle tolling units)
installed in ~2.87 million vehicles (as of 2018) to broadcast location and
speed data[14]. These probe data, along with AI-enabled cameras and GPS,
allow authorities to pinpoint congestion spots and adjust controls (e.g., ramp
metering, signal timing)[14]. Tokyo also deploys large-scale IoT and GIS
“digital twin” projects to simulate traffic flows under different scenarios (e.g.,
adding a transit station or building)[15][14]. Japan’s focus on data-rich ITS
and user cooperation (e.g. encouraging bus ridership) helps manage what
would otherwise be severe traffic in a megacity.
London’s approach has centered on road pricing and regulation. Since 2003,
drivers pay a congestion charge to enter central London (currently £15/day)
[16]. This policy immediately cut car entries by ~18% and reduced overall
congestion by about one-third[16]. London enforces the charge with 1,100
cameras and automatically levies fees on toll-tagged vehicles[16]. Over 30%
more people switched to public transport after the charge was
introduced[16]. London supplements pricing with ITS tools: thousands of
CCTV cameras monitor traffic, while real-time information systems (GPS in
buses, web dashboards) help drivers and planners respond to incidents.
Congestion Zone designations have since expanded, and London tracks key
indicators (average speeds, pollution) to evaluate policy.
In summary, Singapore, Tokyo, and London all combine fiscal (pricing/tolls),
operational (signal control, ITS), and modal strategies (strong transit) to
mitigate congestion. These cases show that pricing can cut traffic demand,
advanced data (sensors, GPS) can improve flow, and integrated planning
boosts transit share[12][16]. Dhaka’s conditions differ (informal transport
modes, institutional fragmentation), but analogous measures could help if
adapted locally.

Research Objectives
The research will be guided by the following objectives:
- Identify Dhaka’s congestion factors. Determine the key economic,
infrastructural, and behavioral drivers of traffic jams in Dhaka using
secondary sources (urbanization rates, vehicle registration data, mobility
surveys, etc.).
- Assess impacts. Quantify the socio-economic and environmental impacts
of congestion in Dhaka (lost workhours, fuel wastage, pollution) based on
existing studies and traffic indices[3][2].
- Review global practices. Analyze congestion management strategies
from Singapore, Tokyo, and London (pricing, ITS, transit policies) to extract
lessons relevant to Dhaka[12][16].
- Design a conceptual MIS framework. Develop a theoretical model that
integrates Dhaka’s traffic data sources with information systems (e.g. ITS,
GIS, IoT, data analytics) for monitoring and managing congestion.
- Evaluate solutions. Using the framework, propose prioritized
interventions (e.g. adaptive signaling, dynamic tolling, mobile apps) and
assess their feasibility in Dhaka’s context.

Methodology and Conceptual Model

Data and Analysis. This study will be based entirely on secondary data and
literature. Key sources include academic and industry research on Dhaka’s
transportation (e.g. ARI/BUET reports, planning documents), government
statistics (traffic counts, vehicle registrations), and media analyses.
International case studies (policy reports from Singapore’s LTA, Japan’s MLIT,
TfL publications) will provide benchmarks. The data will be synthesized
qualitatively and quantitatively: for example, summarizing congestion
metrics (vehicle-hours lost, average speeds) and mapping causal factors.
Comparative analysis will highlight differences and similarities between
Dhaka and benchmark cities.
Conceptual Framework. The core output will be a conceptual model of a
Dhaka-specific traffic management system. The model envisions inputs
(traffic data and demand factors), processing (analytical MIS components),
and outputs (control measures). For instance, inputs may include real-time
traffic flows from IoT sensors (vehicle counts, speeds), probe data from GPS-
equipped vehicles, and mobile phone location data. Spatial data (GIS maps
of road networks and congestion hotspots) will provide context[15]. The
processing layer will incorporate Big Data analytics and machine learning
algorithms to predict congestion based on historical patterns[17]. Adaptive
control strategies (e.g. timing traffic lights, variable message signs) can then
be generated from these analyses. The output layer includes traveler
information (alerts via apps or VMS) and optimized signal plans.
This framework draws on the literature: GIS-based analysis helps identify
bottlenecks[15], IoT sensor networks (including connected vehicles) supply
live data[14], and Big-Data analytics enables short-term forecasting (e.g.
predicting jam formation and proactively adjusting signals)[17]. Figure 1
(hypothetical) might show data flows: traffic sensing → data hub → analytics
engine → control center → field devices. Although not depicted here, the
model emphasizes integration of technology with institutional roles (Dhaka’s
Traffic Management Center coordinating multi-agency response).
Expected Contributions
This thesis will offer several contributions. First, it provides a comprehensive
literature synthesis of Dhaka’s traffic issues, integrating recent data and
studies (e.g., updating cost and delay estimates)[3][2]. Second, by
systematically comparing Dhaka with Singapore, Tokyo, and London, it
identifies transferable strategies (e.g. the potential of dynamic tolling or ITS)
and highlights where local adaptation is needed. Third, the core contribution
is the proposed MIS conceptual framework for Dhaka. This framework is
novel because it tailors known ITS/GIS/IoT tools to Dhaka’s context (highly
mixed traffic, large informal sector, institutional fragmentation). While
generic models exist, this thesis fills a gap by explicitly designing a data-
driven congestion management structure for Dhaka’s conditions. Finally, the
work suggests implementation steps and metrics, supporting policymakers’
understanding of what investments (financial, technical, regulatory) would
yield payoff. Prior studies stress the urgency of sustainable, data-informed
solutions for Dhaka[18]; this research contributes a concrete plan toward
that goal, grounded in secondary evidence.

Implementation Considerations
Implementing an MIS-based system in Dhaka entails significant challenges.
High-tech infrastructure (networked sensors, broadband connectivity, control
centers) is expensive. For example, Bangladesh’s first national ITS highway
project (Joydevpur–Rangpur) required an $18M investment[19][20]. Scaling
such investments to cover all major corridors will be difficult without
sustained donor support or government budget allocations. Technical
capacity is another concern: Dhaka’s agencies have limited experience
running advanced ITS or handling large-scale data analytics. Training for
engineers and operators will be essential. Institutional coordination poses
a hurdle: traffic control involves many bodies (city corporations, BRTA,
police, RHD, etc.), and past “negligence and mismanagement” have been
noted[21]. Establishing a unified Traffic Management Center (like the one
launched in 2025[22]) can help, but building interagency agreements and
legal frameworks (e.g. to support congestion pricing) will take time. Data
availability is currently low: Dhaka lacks a comprehensive traffic sensor
network. Supplementary sources (mobile data, crowdsourced reports) could
help but require systems and privacy considerations. Finally, public
acceptance must be considered. Measures like tolls or signal control
changes can face resistance if seen as unfair or if citizens are not well-
informed. An outreach and equity strategy (for instance, ensuring low-
income commuters are not unduly burdened by fees) would be part of
implementation planning. These considerations imply that a phased,
carefully piloted deployment is needed rather than an immediate citywide
rollout.
Implications, Limitations, and Future Work
The proposed MIS framework has important implications. If adopted, it could
enable Dhaka’s authorities to shift from reactive to proactive traffic
management, reducing delays and emissions while improving safety. The
research underscores that technological solutions must be paired with policy:
for example, without legal support for electronic tolling or data-sharing, the
system cannot be fully utilized[23][18]. Limitations of this study include
reliance on secondary sources (availability and reliability of Dhaka-specific
data) and the fact that the framework is not empirically tested here. Real-
world feasibility (e.g. budgets, political will) is uncertain. Future work should
involve pilot testing components of the model – such as an adaptive signal
corridor or a congestion-priced zone – and collecting primary data on
performance. Additional research could also investigate user behavior (e.g.
how Dhaka commuters might respond to pricing or information apps) and
model economic trade-offs in more detail. Over time, integration with further
smart city initiatives (electric vehicle adoption, shared mobility) and
continuous data collection will be key to refining and validating the
framework.

References
Afrin, T., & Yodo, N. (2020). A survey of road traffic congestion measures
towards a sustainable and resilient transportation system. Sustainability,
12(11), 4660. [Link]
Ali, Y., Rafay, M., Khan, R. D. A., Sorn, M. K., & Jiang, H. L. (2023). Traffic
Problems in Dhaka City: Causes, Effects, and Solutions (Case Study to
Develop a Business Model). Open Access Library Journal, 10(5), 1–15.
[Link]
Business Standard (The). (2022, April 9). Tk151 crore agreement signed for
Bangladesh’s first dedicated ITS project. The Business Standard. Retrieved
from [Link]
signed-bangladeshs-first-dedicated-its-project-400306[20]
Business Standard (The). (2024, August 26). Despite regime change, Dhaka
traffic more chaotic due to sporadic protests. The Business Standard.
Retrieved from [Link]
regime-change-dhaka-traffic-more-chaotic-due-to-sporadic-protests-
124082600456_1 [1]
Business Standard (The). (2025, August 23). Bangladesh’s first Traffic
Management Center launched to improve highway safety. The Business
Standard. Retrieved from [Link]
first-traffic-management-center-launched-improve-highway-safety-
1218226[22]
Chua, C. K. W. (2025, March 5). Growing public transport ridership [Speech].
Workers’ Party (Singapore). Retrieved from
[Link]
Dhaka Tribune. (2022, March 16). The economic cost of Dhaka’s insane
traffic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from
[Link]
dhaka’s-insane-traffic[2]
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). (n.d.). Smart
use of network. Retrieved from
[Link]
South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). (2022, April 9).
Bangladesh signs Intelligent Transport System project under SASEC.
Retrieved from [Link]
page=news&nid=1375&url=ban-signs-its-sasec&enews=99[19]

[1] Despite regime change, Dhaka traffic more chaotic due to sporadic
protests | World News - Business Standard
[Link]
dhaka-traffic-more-chaotic-due-to-sporadic-protests-124082600456_1.html
[2] The economic cost of Dhaka’s insane traffic
[Link]
%E2%80%99s-insane-traffic
[3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [18] Traffic Problems in Dhaka City: Causes,
Effects, and Solutions (Case Study to Develop a Business Model)
[Link]
[4] A Survey of Road Traffic Congestion Measures towards a Sustainable and
Resilient Transportation System
[Link]
[12] singapore_04
[Link]
[13] Growing public transport ridership—by Chua Kheng Wee Louis
[Link]
[14] [23] Road Bureau - MLIT Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and
Tourism
[Link]
[15] [16] [17] [21] Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City_ Causes, Impacts, and
MIS-Based [Link]
[Link]
[19] Bangladesh Signs Intelligent Transport System Project under SASEC |
News | South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation
[Link]
sasec&enews=99
[20] Tk151 crore agreement signed for Bangladesh’s first dedicated ITS
project | The Business Standard
[Link]
signed-bangladeshs-first-dedicated-its-project-400306
[22] Bangladesh’s first Traffic Management Center launched to improve
highway safety | The Business Standard
[Link]
center-launched-improve-highway-safety-1218226