GLOSSARY: Stuck in Bengaluru Traffic?

Stuck in Bengaluru Traffic?

THE BELAMY

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF AIM

Monday, Jan 06, 2025 | By Amit Raja Naik

Dear reader,

We wish you a happy and traffic-free new year, especially for namma Bengalureans—though let's admit, it's a tall order. But as we found out firsthand, there's hope brewing at the city's Traffic Management Center.

Inside Bengaluru's Traffic Management Center, IPS MN Anucheth sits calmly, monitoring live feed from thousands of cameras across the city. The screens capture a city constantly on the move—vehicles, pedestrians, and life itself. While many joke about Bengaluru's traffic being impossible to fix, the joint commissioner is confident.

"Bengaluru gets more criticism than it deserves. Traffic here isn't as bad as people think, and we're working hard to make things better," he said with a reassuring smile.

Bengaluru, often called the tech capital of India, is leading the way in using AI to solve traffic problems. From smarter signals to faster violation detection, the city is setting an example for others to follow.

While big techs like Google and Cisco offer traffic management solutions, Bengaluru's approach prioritises tailor-made solutions from Indian startups.

"Big tech solutions often rely on centralised systems and aren't customisable to the unique conditions of our city," said Anucheth.

For example, a map-based system was tested at a junction but failed when the data feed was interrupted, disrupting operations entirely. "We can't rely on solutions that leave us stranded if the service is cut off," he said. Instead, Bengaluru has focused on working with smaller, homegrown startups that understand the city's specific needs and challenges.

"Startups are agile, eager, and better at customising solutions for our unique needs. Their work aligns with Bengaluru's challenges," said Anucheth.

The traffic police have partnered with local startups such as Monday Technologies for drone-based road monitoring and AI avatars and IBI for developing ASTraM, the city's AI-powered traffic management system. They also work with companies like SCITA and Matrix Technologies to enhance violation detection and enforcement through advanced AI-enabled cameras.

The Bengaluru traffic cops have also partnered with Honeywell for specific large-scale initiatives. The company played a key role in the Safe City Project, focusing on enhancing women's safety and urban security through advanced surveillance systems.

As part of this project, Honeywell deployed thousands of CCTV cameras across the city, which are now being integrated into Bengaluru's broader traffic management strategy. "We're exploring how these cameras, originally meant for crime prevention, can also support traffic monitoring and violation detection," said Anucheth.

Though Honeywell represents one of the few large corporations the department collaborates with, Anucheth is clear that these partnerships must deliver practical results: "The size of the company doesn't matter. What matters is whether the solution works for Bengaluru's unique needs."

[Must Watch] Check out the full conversation with IPS MN Anucheth on our YouTube channel:

The Roadblocks: Even with AI, Bengaluru faces challenges. The city's vehicle population is expected to touch 1.2 crore soon, doubling in just a decade. "AI can't fix potholes or widen narrow roads. We still need better infrastructure," Anucheth admitted.

Public transport is another hurdle. While the metro is expanding, Bengaluru's heavy reliance on two-wheelers (70% of its vehicles) makes the shift to public transport slow.

[Must Watch] Check out the AIM Original series, Namma BMTC:

"Traffic will only improve if people start using buses and the metro for their daily commute," said Anucheth.

So, what's next for the city's traffic woes? The future looks better with solutions in sight. Bengaluru is working on creating a digital twin, a virtual model of the IT city's traffic system. Using real-time data from cameras and sensors, this system could help predict and prevent congestion.

"We're not just solving today's problems. We're building a better future for Bengaluru," Anucheth asserted with quiet determination.

Enjoy the full story here.

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