From Saturday evening 12 screens installed at the Vyttila Mobility Hub will beam real and simulated videos of accidents and the trail of death and destruction they leave behind.
Cartoons will also be screened to create awareness of road safety in children. The Kerala Motor Vehicles’ Department (MVD) has initiated the Rs.18 lakh project sponsored by State Bank of Travancore.
Bus arrival display
Shibu K. Itty, the project’s nodal officer and Joint RTO of Adoor, said the screens would soon display the arrival timings of buses plying different routes. Based on the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on each bus, the bay where a bus is parked will be displayed. “The utility will be extended free of cost to the society managing the hub. The contractor of the display screens will integrate the two systems.”
The 32-inch vertical screens will show stills and videos of how road accidents take place and how they can be prevented. “We have shortlisted numerous accident videos which were caught in closed circuit TV cameras and other cameras. This project will enhance the safety awareness of commuters and bus crew. Safe driving habits too will be screened. The contents will be updated based on feedback from the public,” Mr Itty said.
The screens will also run programmes explaining the procedure for obtaining driving licence and news bulletins from the MVD. Narrowcasting technology – digital delivery of visual content through a centrally-managed network of displays, has been adopted for the purpose. The service will be controlled from the MVD’s head office. The utility can be used for video conferencing.
Control centre
The MVD has sought a 5,000 sq. ft. space on the hub premises to set up a nerve centre for enforcement and video surveillance. At present, the control room is located at Kakkanad.
Mr. Itty was recently entrusted with the task of negotiating with the hub society to set up the amenities. “Once we get the space, we will be in a position to inspect records of buses and even their general fitness at the hub. Our fee counters too can begin functioning here, so that vehicle owners need not depend on agents to pay different fees and taxes.”
