The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to enhance road safety and reduce incident response times through the implementation of upgraded and forward-looking Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) Standards and Specifications 2023. These specifications, which incorporate the latest advancements in AI technology, aim to improve road safety and digital enforcement on national highways and expressways.
Key enhancements of the new ATMS include the replacement of previous cameras with the newly introduced Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (Vides), emphasizing the digital enforcement of traffic rules. Vides is equipped with the ability to identify 14 distinct incidents, including violations such as triple riding, helmet and seatbelt infractions, wrong lane or direction driving, the presence of animals on the highway, and pedestrian crossings. Depending on the detected incident, Vides will take various actions, including alerting route patrol vehicles or ambulances, generating e-challans, relaying alerts to nearby variable messaging boards, and sending notifications through the ‘rajmargyatra’ mobile app to nearby travelers.
These cameras are set to be installed every 10 kilometers along national highways, with state-of-the-art command and control centers every 100 kilometers, integrating various camera feeds. Furthermore, the Vehicle Speed Detection System (VSDS) is integrated into Vides, optimizing the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
The Traffic Monitoring Camera System (TMCS) will also undergo upgrades to include advanced capabilities such as automated detection of accidents and stalled vehicles.
In a bid to enhance coordination and response, NHAI will strengthen its collaboration with local traffic agencies, providing dedicated workstations in the command and control center for traffic police representatives. Provisions have been made to share camera feeds over the network, facilitating real-time coordination.
The ATMS deployment is also expected to play a role in disaster management, providing valuable inputs for effective planning and implementation. Additionally, it will offer online sharing of highway status and other essential information, benefiting both agencies and highway users.
The policy further incorporates provisions for the development of integrated utility corridors along National Highways, designed for the development of Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) infrastructure. While the ATMS equipment will initially use OFC to communicate with command and control centers, the policy anticipates the potential for 5G-based communication in the future as 5G coverage expands. This signifies a forward-looking approach to road safety and traffic management.
The implementation of these advanced standards and specifications demonstrates NHAI’s commitment to utilizing technology and innovation to enhance road safety and streamline traffic management on India’s national highways and expressways.
