The Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) has come forward to assist the Road Safety Authority for implementing the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID)-enabled punching stations in selected locations in the city.
In the first phase, the existing punching station at Elathur will be made ready for the trial run.
On completion of the experimental phase, it will be extended to seven other locations. Regional Transport Officer Rajiv Puthalath, who is also a member of the Road Safety Authority, said, “Keltron is now ready with a proposal of Rs.13 lakh to complete the first phase installation, which will include exclusive servers and other computer facilities.”
As the amount, according to the Road Safety Authority, was a bit high, they have been asked to revise the estimate. Mr. Puthalath said the Road Safety Authority would give green signal for the project after considering the revised proposal.
“This is the first of its kind experiment in the State and we are confident of making it a success,” he said.
As per the decision of the Road Safety Authority, Assistant Commissioner, Traffic (South), will look into the identification of suitable spots for the installation of RFID-enabled punching stations. With the completion of the project, the manual method of recording the timings would be replaced completely.
According to officials, a main advantage with the installation of RFID facility is that the flow of vehicle will not be interrupted on the highway. The RFID tags to be affixed on the vehicles will automatically support the special servers to record details while the vehicles pass the punching stations.
Now, the conductors are doing it manually by entering the punching stations functioning under the control of traffic police.
Though the RFID-enabled punching stations will be introduced in eight locations in a phased manner, it will not be used to control the city buses in various routes.
Initially, the facility will be utilised only to control long distance buses.
Suggestions have also come up to introduce similar facility in all toll booths to avoid the halting of vehicles and the easy payment of the amount.
