Throughout the year, city authorities always made efforts to reduce traffic congestion. In the past, three bridges (Narnii Bridge, Nairamdliin Bridge, Yarmag Bridge), roads, and more tunnels have been built – yet, congestion has not decreased. Instead, due to the annual import of 80 thousand vehicles on average, the issue became even worse. Eventually, there was no more space to further widen the road, and not enough budget for large-scale construction (about MNT 50 billion per year), so restrictions and fines were imposed.

Recently, however, this imbalance has slightly lessened, allowing the capital city authorities to do significant work. During the extended meeting on May 19, 2021, for the first time, the Government of Mongolia discussed the pressing issues of Ulaanbaatar and made the decision to annually allocate MNT 420 billion to solve traffic congestion. Prior to this, the capital city authorities have been implementing several policies on reducing traffic congestion and all possible solutions that could be thought of except for those that required a large budget, such as subways, overhead roads, and bridges, and a unified traffic management system. This historic decision was made when Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Sumiyabazar Dolgorsuren and the city authorities cooperated with the Government to raise issues at a time when there was an urgent need for a comprehensive solution for the issue concerning decentralization.

Reducing traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar is an issue that requires to be dealt with comprehensively. Thus, the government has established the National Committee on ensuring balance between urban and rural development, decentralizing, and reducing traffic congestion, and Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai is chairing the committee, indicating the importance of tackling the issue.

Decentralization: A public effort

The public perception and participation have begun to be considered a crucial part of new technological advancements, government policies, decisions, and plans. Congestion can be reduced in a relatively short time with proper budget, technological solutions, and cooperation between the government, NGOs, and citizens.

The newly established National Committee on ensuring balance between urban and rural development, decentralizing, and reducing traffic congestion concluded that 149 measures with a total of 27 objectives should be implemented to reduce urban traffic congestion, which also includes creating a comfortable living environment in rural areas. Of the above solutions and measures, the most innovative solution to reduce traffic congestion is the introduction of a smart transport system.

A smart transport system

Within the framework of the objective to fully implement a project on introducing a smart transport system in the capital city that is reflected in the 2020-2024 action plan of the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, corresponding relevant officials are carrying out works per the decision of the national committee. The system meets the requirements of all those that are participating in traffic, and is able to make certain calculations with the help of modern AI. It is currently planned to consist of the following subsystems:

1. RFID-based traffic system

2. Integrated smart system for camera surveillance

3. Traffic light control system

4. Integrated management system for car parks

5. Smart public transportation system

6. Management system for Taxis and Special Transport

The RFID-based traffic system will enable traffic monitoring and planning in Ulaanbaatar. However, with the introduction of an integrated smart system for camera surveillance, it will be possible to set traffic safety rules in the AI database, prevent crimes, and improve traffic management and monitoring.

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai: The government will “green light” the decision

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsrannamsrai

- Ulaanbaatar city must have a standard. Let's set standards that need to be implemented in the capital city. Let's inform the public about the reality of the current state. There is no truth more than reality, after all.

To resolve all these issues, the support, assistance, resolutions, and decisions that are necessary to be made by the Government and the Parliament needs to be introduced.

The government will create the conditions for making certain decisions at the legal level. We will “green light” the decision.

B.Odsuren: Incentives will be used to promote the use of public transportation

Capital City Road and Transport Projects Manager Odsuren Badarch:

- According to studies, schools, offices, shopping malls, and business organizations in Ulaanbaatar open and close at the same time, causing heavy traffic congestion. From 07:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 17:00 to 20:00 in the evening, there is often very heavy traffic. Therefore, it is necessary to implement regulations for flexible time management. A lot of people tend to go to shopping centers on Mondays and Fridays. Fifty percent of the people participating in road traffic drive their cars in the morning and leave it parked all day. Therefore, incentives will be used to promote the use of public transportation.

As of 2020, there are:

o 1.1 million vehicles nationwide

o 715,309 passenger cars,

o 241,268 trucks,

o 36,084 buses,

o 20,672 vehicles being used for special purposes,

o 40,616 locomotives,

o 54 percent of total vehicles are in Ulaanbaatar - 615,622

o 46 percent are in rural areas – 521,112

MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF

THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE CAPITAL CITY