New Delhi, 31st May 2023: The AI-based traffic system or the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) will be a game changer once it is fully implemented on the Delhi roads stated Mr. Surender Singh Yadav, IPS Special Commissioner Traffic Delhi Police at the ASSOCHAM 7th Road Safety Conference on ‘Responsible Behavior & Smart Mobility ‘A roadmap to safe road-safe life’.
Speaking at the event where he was the chief guest, Mr. Yadav mentioned that the ITMS would take another 1- 1.5 year to be fully implemented and is being done at the cost of around Rs 1400 crores.
Mr Yadav who is a part of a special committee on road safety constituted by the Supreme Court informed that they are working on technology initiatives to make the traffic much more smooth at the national capital.
“We are working on ways to see how technology can improve the commute at emergency corridors and emergency services. We are also looking at how we can improve upon our traffic control rooms and their communication with the ambulance networks,” he said.
He added that the government is putting a lot of emphasis on road safety due to the rising number of fatalities. “Around 2300 crashes were reported in Delhi region which accounted for 40% pedestrian mishappenings. With 3.5 lakh violations per month for red light & overspeeding, responsible behavior is crucial for all vehicle owners,” he informed.
He explained that there is a need for more collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve road safety ensuring safety measures to prevent fatalities, economic burden with major road accidents, sustainable development, public health, and strict enforcement of traffic laws. “Government is working constantly to work on infrastructure development to improve the quality of the roads and sustainable safer roads,” he added.
Talking of the 4Es (Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Emergency care), Mr. K. K. Kapila, President (Emeritus) of, the International Road Federation (IRF) focused to meet road safety challenges and sustainable solutions. Road safety education is an essential life skill. It is a collective responsibility to prioritize road safety and work towards creating safer roads for everyone. Every life lost or affected by a road accident is a painful reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive action.
Mr. Vinod Pandey, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Global Value Chain Council, and Director emphasised the safety of the vehicle which is a major influencer offering safer tools to avoid any fatality. With increasing digital transformation, there is a wide scope of umpteen opportunities like vehicle-to-vehicle communication, e-call, safety alerts, and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). “Regular vehicle inspections and maintenance checks can help ensure that vehicles are roadworthy,” he added.
Mr. Nitin Pawar, General Manager, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd said road safety is a paramount concern for all of us. “Improving road safety in India requires a multi-faceted approach involving government initiatives, public participation, and collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies, law enforcement authorities, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and civil society organisations,” he pointed out.
In his address, Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India focused on educating people on road safety. “Awareness campaigns should focus on responsible driving practices, the importance of wearing helmets and seat belts, avoiding drink-driving, and respecting traffic rules. Regular monitoring by traffic police, utilizing technology like CCTV cameras, and imposing stricter penalties for traffic violations can save substantial human lives,” he informed.
