16 smart traffic signals get green light

NEW DELHI: In a bid to modernisetraffic management in the city, the Delhi Traffic Police has expanded the areatraffic control system (ATC) to include 16 more junctions in the city. Earlier,the ATC was operational at 46 junctions, mainly in centralDelhi.Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Qamar Ahmed, said, "The16 new junctions, spread mainly in the central and south Delhi, are expected tobecome operational by the end of this month." Explaining the workingof the ATC, assistant commissioner of police (traffic-engineering) Sivesh Singhsaid, "ATC decides the time allotted to each of the signal junctions within itsarea, depending upon the volume of traffic and capacity utilisation of roads."Singh said, the software being used for the area traffic control iscalled Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique (SCOOT). It has been developedby the Transport Research Laboratory, UK. The ATC was a pilot project, startedin 2000."The ATC has produced some very good results. As per an bythe Newcastle University, the journey time had not only reduced considerably,but also the delay at intersections had come down," said Singh. Also the averagespeed in the ATC area increased.The 16 new junctions are situated atLodhi Road, Subramaniyam Bharati Marg, Prithviraj Road and Mathura Road, amongothers.Apart from the computerised synchronisation of signaljunctions, this software comes along with several add-ons. Prominent among theseare the Variable Messaging System (VMS) and the Green Wave System (GWS). SaidSingh, "With the help of VMS, we can flash messages at junctions. Any diversioncan be communicated to the commuters instantly. We are planning to launch thissystem in the next phase." However, it is the GWS that is likely tobe of considerable importance to the traffic officials. According to Singh, anyvehicle on the GWS will get a signal-free access for its journey. "This systemcan be used when VIPs are on their way. Also, it will be of great help duringthe Commonwealth Games in 2010," added Singh.Plans are afoot toexpand the ATC to 40 more junctions in the city in the next financialyear.