Intelligent traffic system for e-way to cost Rs 44 crore

August 13, 2013

Vandana Keelor, TNN

NOIDA: IIT-Delhi has approved a sum of Rs 43.6 crore for an intelligent traffic system (ITS) on Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. The move comes in the wake of a safety audit by the Central Road Research Institute.
According to the report, the e-way is a deathtrap for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. Speeding cars and light commercial vehicles are the primary cause of road accidents here. Having received the nod from IIT, Noida Authority is gearing up to invite global consultants to launch the project in a month’s time.

Officials said ITS is expected to monitor and manage traffic flow on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. “Once implemented, the system will minimize road accidents on the expressway,” Rama Raman, chairman and CEO, Noida Authority, said.

Once the technical and financial go-aheads are received and tenders finalized, the project will be completed in 12-18 months’ time. “The system will reduce travel time, improve traffic regulation and surveillance and reduce operational costs and incident reaction time,” Raman said.

The system will help measure traffic data in real time, detect incidents and congestions automatically and inform road users about travel time, road closures, diversions, rerouting and all major events. “Important features would include a control room, emergency call box, message signboards, CCTV cameras, speed cameras, automatic number plate readers, VID camera and meteorological data system,” said Sandeep Chandra, the technical head for the project who also holds charge of traffic in the city.

Since its inception in 2002, the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway has been the site of hundreds of deaths. Around 25 people have lost their lives while hundreds have been injured in the last six months.

Cameras would be placed at a height of 14 metres to detect movement up to a distance of 280 metres. “Large LED display boards will caution motorists about road and weather conditions. All stationary vehicles, speeding vehicles and getaway vehicles will be recorded. In the first phase, safety devices like reflective signboards, median markers and road studs will be installed between the Noida entry gate and Mahamaya flyover,” Chandra said.

The most important feature of the system will be reduced response time to an accident. ITS will guide road users to adapt speed to ensure smoother flow of traffic and help coordinate policing and emergency services. “The expressway will be under surveillance 24/7 which will help curb crime on the e-way,” Raman said.

Source-http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com