Traffic signals in the city are to get a overhaul by May. Nearly 25 of the over 330 traffic signals are going to replaced with ‘adaptive’, or intelligent, signals that can detect traffic flow in real time and adjust the red or green lights accordingly.
The decision to have such signals was taken last year and tenders were also finalised. “We gave the work orders last year. We were supposed to get the signals by April-end or May,” said a senior police officer.
The signals, according to officers, will have cameras to monitor the length of the queue at the junction. In addition, sensors will be installed on the road to help measure the volume of traffic that passes through the junction,” explained R. Hitendra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
Depending on the vehicle movement or the length of the queue, the signal will change colour to either green or red. “Most of the signals will be coming up in the Bengaluru East division, which sees greater traffic problems. They will also be installed in a few among the 60 Zero Tolerance junctions,” said a traffic police officer.
Officers feel that this will reduce manual intervention at the signals. “This will also reduce long queues and fuel wastage at traffic junctions. Invariably, pollution will also reduce. Based on the result of this trial, we will procure more such signals,” added the officer.
Traffic experts are of the opinion that once adaptive signals are introduced, police should think of signal synchronisation to create a green corridor for all vehicles. “Many cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, have done this. It is high time Bengaluru adopts this,” said M.N. Sreehari, a traffic expert.
