NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) has updated the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) standards to improve road safety and shorten the response time. Here are the notable changes that you should know about: –
NHAI has announced replacing the existing Video Incident Detection System (VIDS) cameras with the new Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (VIDES) to focus on digital enforcement of traffic rules.
These cameras will be installed every 10 kilometres along national highways, with Command & Control Centres at every 100 kilometres. A dedicated workstation will also be allocated for local traffic police representatives at these command centres.
The Vehicle Speed Detection System (VSDS) will also be integrated into the VIDES, optimising the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
NHAI has also announced the upgrade of the Traffic Monitoring Camera System (TMCS), which will now be positioned at every kilometre on national highways. This camera system can automatically detect accidents and stalled vehicles.
Provisions have been made to share camera feeds over the network to enhance real-time coordination and response.
As of now, the ATMS will use Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) infrastructure to communicate with the Command & Control Centres. However, there are provisions in the policy for the usage of 5G-based communication systems in the near future.
The VIDES can recognise 14 distinct incidents, including triple riding, helmet & seatbelt violations, animal presence on highways, inappropriate lane driving, wrong-direction driving, pedestrian crossings, etc.
By identifying incidents, VIDES will alert the route patrol vehicles or ambulance and generate e-challans if needed.
The VIDES can also relay alerts to nearby Variable Messaging Boards (electronic traffic alert boards). It will also send notifications to nearby travellers through the “RAJMARGYATRA” app.
These AI-enabled Advanced Traffic Management Systems will also enable online sharing of highway status and other essential information to aid the agencies and travellers.
It may also play an active role in disaster management by providing inputs for effective planning.