Almaty Launches Pilot Low-Emission Zone Project
A pilot low-emission zone (LEZ) was launched in Almaty on April 28 to test digital infrastructure and assess the impact of traffic on air quality, without introducing restrictions for drivers, according to the city administration.
The pilot area covers a central section bordered by Bogenbay Batyr Street, Abai Avenue, Zheltoksan Street, and Dostyk Avenue. Almaty Parking is serving as the project operator.
At the current stage, the system is operating in test mode, meaning there are no traffic restrictions, fines, or entry fees. The main objective is to evaluate the performance of the digital infrastructure and collect data on traffic flows and their environmental impact.
The project includes testing smart cameras, radar sensors, and automated vehicle recognition systems under real-world conditions. Traffic data is also being synchronized with air quality sensors to improve environmental analysis.
In addition, the initiative aims to establish secure data exchange between IT systems, environmental experts, and traffic management services, forming the basis for a unified digital platform. The collected data will support urban mobility analysis and future smart city planning.
City officials emphasized that the pilot phase is focused on verifying data accuracy, assessing infrastructure readiness, and testing the speed of data exchange rather than introducing restrictions. The pilot project will continue through Dec. 31, while traffic operations remain unchanged during the testing period.
Photo credit: Almaty Akimat (administration).
