AI to replace traffic cops at city junctions

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Known for its bustling streets and chronic traffic issues, Bengaluru city is set to undergo a transformative change soon.

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda and Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, MN Anucheth have said that in about eight months, the city traffic junctions will be manned without the intervention of traffic police.

In other words, the cops want to manage these junctions with the help of technology.

Recently, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) launched an AI-backed Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management (ASTraM) app, which is designed to offer holistic insights into road traffic scenarios, aligning with the objectives of road safety.

The senior officials further said that the police department will also be able to provide video evidence for particular traffic violations in the city limits.

According to the police, around 160 traffic signals in the city are currently being monitored through AI technology.

In the upcoming months, all the signals and junctions will be operated in a similar manner.

“We have a high-tech system in place where many of the junctions are fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras along with AI and Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). Hence, the cops on the ground had been earlier told not to stop vehicles if there is no violation visible,” Joint Commissioner MN Anucheth said.

Around 7,500 CCTV cameras are keeping an eye on traffic violators: Anucheth further said that currently 22,000 traffic violation cases are being registered across 50 locations in the city based on AI technology per day.

“We have installed 7,500 CCTV cameras at 3,000 different places in the city to keep an eagle’s eye on traffic violators. Additionally, the process of installing 1,376 HD cameras is also ongoing. The aim of the department is to make 100 percent traffic police-free signals in another eight months,” he said.

However, in violations such as motorists involved in performing wheelies and stunts, the police can book cases against them on the spot, he added.

Regular patrolling: Bengaluru police chief Dayananda said that the patrolling teams have shown commitment towards their duties and have earlier set a record by attending a distress call to Namma Helpline number 112 in just 2.51 minutes.

“On the basis of Geographic Information System (GIS), the cops can reach the victim’s place by locating the address. Currently the helpline is getting around 7,500 calls on weekends,” he said.

Use of drones: Along with AI technology, drones will also be used to control vehicular traffic, the officials informed.

There are a total of 2.30 lakh CCTV cameras in the city belonging to private, commercial establishments and the police.

Soon, 10 drones will be launched for traffic control,'' Dayananda said.