Hand-held device will enable traffic policemenmanning junctions to change the sequence and timing of signals

About a year ago, Prof Balaraman, a formerpoliceman now part of the teaching faculty at CMRInstitute of Technology, threw an open challenge to his students. “The challenge was to do a project that can benefit the public,” said Bala Maruthi T, a final semester student. In response to this challenge, Maruthi and two other final year engineering students, Babitha Susan George and Avinash M, teamed up and joined hands with the traffic police to draw up a blueprint that would make the task of manning junctions easier.

The three have devised a remote-controlled device that would help traffic police posted at junctions manipulate traffic lights. The trio has already conducted a round of discussion with traffic police top brass. The top brass are thrilled with the idea and is eagerly looking forward to a demonstration of the device.

Traffic signals in the city currently operate on ‘Zig-Bee’ technology, an automatic system where traffic signals are programmed to a preset sequence and timing. The system is not infallible and has been known to cause delays and jams. To clear congestion, policemen manning junctions are forced to switch to a manual ‘wired-control mode’. This means the constable at the junction, based on his assessment of the traffic situation, controls the lights from a control box mounted on a pole at the junction. While the method offers better management options, police say that it ties the constable down to the control box, often at an obscure location near the junction. Finding no policeman in sight, some motorists tend to break traffic rules, sometimes causing a jam.

“The police officer who witnesses the violation is helpless since he is stationed at the pole,” said Susan George. “He or she is unable to book offenders. Such offences have been known to cause road accidents leading to death or injury.”

With the remote control device, the constable, based on an assessment of the flow of traffic, can choose from among several sequences and timing options and even flip from one option to another. “The device empowers the constable to manage traffic in the best possible manner,” said Avinash. “For instance, if an ambulance approaches the junction, the constable can immediately change signalsto clear a way for the ambulance. Similarly, if traffic is piled up on one road, he can change the timing allowing a longer duration to clear congestion.”

B Dayanand, additional commissioner of police (Traffic and Security) who had a glimpse of the project, said it looks exciting.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Sridhar Vivan and Nischith N , Bangalore Mirror Bureau  / March 15th, 2014