PANAJI
The Artificial Intelligence Driven Security and Integrated Traffic Management System is poised to relieve bottlenecks that snarl traffic as the government-backed pilot project at Merces junction has proven a success.
The government on Tuesday claimed that the latest technology developed by Bengaluru-based Beltech AI has considerably reduced traffic congestion and traffic time.
The system also creates a green corridor for Ambulance service, and issues e-challans to owners of violating vehicles within an hour or so.
"The pilot (exercise) was carried out at Merces Junction, which is one of the busiest junctions in Goa. The AI used the 16 cameras which the company installed at the junction. After two weeks, the signal was switched on in phases under the supervision of the local traffic authorities.
Over the following three weeks, the AI learnt and improved further. The results of this pilot project have been in line with the expectations of the government," reads a statement by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's Office on Tuesday.
The State was on a look out for a technology to solve traffic and security problems given that Goa is a global tourist destination.
"The government wanted nothing but the best technology. However, the government was also wary of the costs which are involved not only in the capital infrastructure, but also operation and maintenance of such advanced technology," it said.
The AI performance impressed the government as the peak wait-time at Merces junction reduced to 4-6 minutes which was 12-15 minutes, prior to the pilot project. So also, the physical presence of traffic cops has become negligible.
"Earlier, there used to be four constables managing traffic at the junction, but now there is only one, and that too only as a precaution.
The AI can detect emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire-trucks and automatically clears the road," the CMO said explaining the functioning of the AI.
The AI is designed in such a way that all the traffic signals constantly talk to each other, thus optimising traffic at not only a junction level, but city/state level.
"All the data from the signals is available in real-time at Central Command and Control Centers of the authorities. This can be used for public safety. Signals can also be controlled remotely," it said.
This company successfully demonstrated to have reduced the traffic congestion in Bengaluru by over 42 percent.
