Maharashtra’s First Intelligent Traffic Management System Installed on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Maharashtra’s First Intelligent Traffic Management System Installed on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Highway police officials and senior MSRDC officials have stated that the system will be operational by the first week of June.
13th May 2024
Maharashtra’s first Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) is being installed on the Mumbai-Pune expressway by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). With weekday traffic averaging around 40,000 vehicles and weekend traffic at about 60,000 vehicles, this system aims to modernise traffic management and improve road safety.
Highway police officials and senior MSRDC officials have stated that the system will be operational by the first week of June.
In the initial stage, 39 gantries have been set up along a 95-kilometre segment of the expressway, housing 218 AI-enabled CCTV cameras designed to identify 17 different types of traffic violations. Automatic number plate recognition will be integrated into all cameras and toll booths, allowing authorities to issue e-challans efficiently.
Officials announced that every entry point to the expressway will feature weigh-in-motion machines for goods carriers, along with weather monitoring systems installed at 11 sites. Additionally, all 36 existing emergency vehicles, including towing vans, cranes and ambulances, will be fitted with vehicle tracking systems. Furthermore, variable messaging sign boards at 23 different locations will provide motorists with crucial information such as real-time updates on traffic status, road closures and weather conditions.
Tanaji Chikle, superintendent of Highway Traffic Police (Panvel), told Hindustan Times that the cutting-edge technology would improve road management and motorists’ safety in a major way.
“At present, though speed-monitoring CCTVs are installed at select junctions and crossovers on the expressway, motorists often slow down only when they approach these cameras or spot traffic police personnel,” said Chikle. He also added that, “Under ITMS, the live feed of a vehicle that has been found speeding or violating traffic rules continuously will be sent to the toll booth ahead, and a hooter will be sounded off when the vehicle nears it. This will help in enforcing traffic rules and discipline.”
Following the implementation of ITMS on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the next phase will involve establishing a similar system on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, making it the second highway in the state equipped with ITMS.
