Goemkapronn desk
PANAJI: The Government of Goa was very keen to adopt the latest technology to solve very real problems of traffic and security within the state. Goa being a global tourist destination, represents India on a global stage, and thus the government wanted nothing but the best technology. However, the government was also wary of the costs which are involved not only in the capital infrastructure but also operation and maintenance of such advanced technology.
Keeping the above in mind, the Government of Goa was on the lookout for innovative solutions which could solve traffic congestion as well as prove to be a
great tool to monitor crime within the state. Multiple companies were invited to carry out a pilot in Goa. Of the many companies, only one agreed to do the pilot for free.
Incidentally, this company had also successfully demonstrated to have reduced the traffic congestion in Bengaluru by over 42%. Further, the company was ready to bear the cost of all capital and operating expenses, and work with the Government of Goa on a Public Private Partnership model, said a CMO press release.
The pilot project was carried out at Merces Junction, one of Goa’s busiest junctions. The Artificial Intelligence that Beltech AI had developed observed the traffic
at Merces Junction for two weeks, using the 16 cameras installed at the junction. After two weeks, the signal was switched on in phases under the supervision of the local traffic authorities. Over the following three weeks, the AI learnt and improved further. The results of this pilot have been in line with the expectations of the government.
– The peak wait time at the junction was 12-15 minutes, which has now been reduced to 4-6 minutes.
– Earlier, there used to be four constables managing traffic at the junction, but now there is only 1, and that too only as a precaution.
– The AI can detect emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire-trucks and automatically clears the road.
– The AI is designed in such a way that all the signals in the city/state constantly talk to each other, thus optimising traffic at not only a junction level but city/state level.
– AI can also detect vehicles which violate traffic rules and make the road unsafe for everyone. E-challan is automatically raised for such offenders.- All the data from the signals is available in real-time at the authorities’ Central Command and Control Centers. This can be used for public safety. Signals can also be controlled remotely.
– AI is always self-learning, which means that every day, there is better
public infrastructure without the government spending any additional tax-payer money.
– Finally, this technology will reduce toxic emissions within the state, as vehicle idling time will reduce.
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