A special computer software program will be launched in the Bulgarian capital Sofia in the near future to help ease traffic congestion.

The computer will allow traffic policemen to remotely control traffic lights. There are currently pilot tests of the program at 5 key Sofia intersections.

One large monitor and 2 computers now provide information to the traffic police through the Sofia City Hall security cameras, allowing them to see the congestions. Instead of sending a traffic policeman to the jammed intersection, the employees can remotely command the traffic lights.

The system is now used to ease traffic on Orlov Most (Eagles' Bridge) and the intersections of "G. S. Rakovski" and "Tsar Osvoboditel" (Liberator) streets, of "Tsar Osvoboditel" and "Vasil Levski" street, of "Vasil Levski" and Graf Ignatiev" street and of "G.S. Rakovski" and "Vasil Levski."

The system is to include over 30 intersections and then the expectations are for the traffic to be significantly alleviated.

Traffic police are quoted saying this program is one of their dreams while the idea is also well accepted by drivers.