New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a ₹1,789.52 crore Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for Delhi to improve traffic flow, road safety and incident response through real-time data, artificial intelligence and automated enforcement.
The project, to be implemented by the Delhi Police, will cover 42 identified traffic corridors and will be rolled out in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance.
The technology-driven system is aimed at making better use of Delhi’s existing road network by replacing largely fixed traffic signal timings and manual interventions with dynamic traffic management based on actual road conditions.
AI-enabled signals to optimise traffic flow
The ITMS will deploy Adaptive Traffic Control Systems that can adjust signal timings according to prevailing traffic conditions and coordinate signals along identified corridors.
The system is expected to reduce avoidable stoppages and delays by responding dynamically to changes in traffic volumes.
The project will cover 1,092 Adaptive Traffic Control System locations and 1,029 enforcement locations across the city.
Priority movement for ambulances
A key feature of the system will be technology-enabled priority movement for ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
The ITMS will facilitate green corridors and priority passage for emergency vehicles, allowing them to move more quickly through congested stretches.
Real-time detection of congestion, slow-moving traffic and road incidents will also enable the Delhi Police to respond more quickly and introduce diversions where required.
Real-time traffic information for commuters
The system will provide commuters with timely information on traffic conditions, congestion, diversions and parking availability.
Variable Message Sign boards and digital platforms will be used to disseminate information. Relevant traffic information may also be shared with navigation service providers, enabling commuters to make travel choices based on prevailing road conditions.
Technology-based enforcement
The ITMS will strengthen automated enforcement by enabling the detection of a range of traffic violations.
These will include red-light and stop-line violations, speeding, wrong-way driving, non-use of helmets and seat belts, illegal parking and use of mobile phones while driving.
AI-based analytics will also assist in identifying stolen, hot-listed and blacklisted vehicles, repeat violators and vehicles linked to hit-and-run incidents.
Integrated command-and-control system
The project will bring traffic regulation, enforcement and information dissemination onto a common platform through Traffic Command and Control Centres.
These centres will be supported by secure Data Centre and Disaster Recovery infrastructure to ensure continuity and resilience of the system.
The ITMS will follow open standards and application programming interfaces (APIs), allowing future integration and expansion of the system.
Delhi’s 71 lakh vehicles drive need for smarter management
Delhi has around 71 lakh active registered vehicles, while the growth in vehicular traffic has substantially outpaced the expansion of road infrastructure.
Traffic regulation continues to rely significantly on fixed signal timings and manual intervention. The new system is intended to improve utilisation of the existing road capacity by allowing traffic management to respond to real-time conditions.
The project is part of broader efforts by the Central Government and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to improve traffic management, transport infrastructure and urban mobility in the capital.
Performance-based implementation
Implementation of the ITMS will be performance-driven, with each subsequent phase taken up after evaluation of the preceding phase against prescribed testing, commissioning, acceptance and performance parameters.
Delhi Police will implement the project through a Master System Integrator, which will be selected through competitive bidding.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will provide technical support as the Project Management Consultant, including technical scrutiny, monitoring, validation and acceptance during implementation and the subsequent operation and maintenance period.
The project is expected to support smoother traffic movement, safer roads, faster response to congestion and road incidents, more consistent enforcement and a more predictable travel experience for commuters across Delhi.
[DD News]