Traffic cops ‘SCOOT’ for new system

Traffic cops ‘SCOOT’ for new system

Vijay Times

Bangalore: The traffic police plan to embark on a project to adapt concepts of the air traffic control to improve traffic management all over the City.
The aim of the project - termed ‘Area Traffic Control’ - is to evenly distrubute traffic and decongest roads throughout Bangalore, taking a cue from the successful implementation of a similar project in New Delhi.

Explaining the system, Deputy commissioner of Police (Traffic East) M A Saleem, told Vijay Times the system was based on 'SCOOT' (split-cycle offset optimise technique) concept.

The 'SCOOT' concept entails placing vehicle detectors that will relay traffic density to a master control room. This data will be analysed by a central online computer which calculates the timing and modifies signals accordingly to minimise congestion.

The ATC system will help distribute traffic evenly reducing burden at particular junctions and bringing down the risk of accidents, Saleem said.
A control room similar to the air traffic control will be set up to monitor flow of traffic after obtaining data from cameras installed at every junction.
The control room staff will remain in constant touch with the field staff and divert traffic to other roads to avoid traffic blocks or overflow at a particular junction, Saleem said.

It will ensure fewer vehicles enter congested roads.
A recent area-wise survey conducted by the City traffic police revealed only few major roads in a given area are used by the motorist while others are used more.
"We have submitted a proposal to the State government and awaiting approval," he added.

This system is expected to significantly aid decongest City roads as Bangalore has 70 lakh population with over 22 lakh vehicles - and growing.