Lesser the traffic, sooner it’ll turn green…….Poornima Swaminathan
In about two months from now, motorists in the city can expect better traffic movement, particularly at the regular bottlenecks. This will come about thanks to a new traffic management system, called the Area Traffic Control (ATC), a joint initiative by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai traffic police.
Since last week, ATC sensor have been functional at four heavy traffic spots: Tulsiwadi, Tardeo junction, Bhatia Hospital, and Gamadia Colony, all in south Mumbai. The effect of the ATC system on the traffic movement is being closely monitored by the traffic police.
The sensors are installed 4 inches below the roads from where they gauge the traffic movement, relaying the data to the main server, which then relays instructions back to the signal to show the appropriate light. This means that at an ATC signal, a motorist need not for a fixed number of seconds (predetermined by the traffic police) but get a signal to go is there is no traffic on the other side.
“The new systems result in easing traffic bottlenecks and help motorists save time,” said Shivajirao Solunkhe, deputy commissioner of police. “Under the new signal system, if there is no traffic, they will not have to unnecessarily wait at signals.” (See How it Works)
The ATC systems are also undergoing a dry-run in 40 other junctions, mainly in south Mumbai. Some of them include Nana Chowk, Mantralaya, Churchgate, and Opera House, all extremely busy locations. By April-end, all these 40 junctions are expected to be connected to the main server and will be operational.
By May 2010, some 254 spots across Mumbai are expected to be connected to the main server and operational. The first phase will be implemented in South Mumbai, followed by the central and western suburbs.
The Rs64-crore project, funded by the World Bank is drawn on the lines of similar traffic systems installed in European countries. “Mumbai is the first city in the country to install ATC systems,” said Kashinath Phadtare, superintending engineer, Mumbai traffic police.