The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) announced on Wednesday the introduction of the Bengaluru Adaptive Traffic Control System (BATCS) in response to growing traffic issues, aiming to improve traffic flow and decrease city-wide delays.
Officials said that BATCS aims to transform the way traffic is managed in the city by using real-time traffic signal control systems powered by Artificial Intelligence. The BATCS project, started in May 2024, involves enhancing 136 current intersections and adding 29 new ones, totaling 165 traffic lights.
This ‘ambitious project’ uses a specially designed CoSiCoSt ATCS application from Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to handle India’s diverse and sometimes unpredictable traffic situations. Arcadis IBI Group is acting as the system integrator and Infra Support is providing project management consulting services for the implementation of the project.
After finishing these 165 junctions by January 2025, the Bengaluru Traffic Police will gradually extend the system to cover 400 more junctions. “After it is finished, the city will possess a thorough Al-driven intelligent traffic signal control system that covers the entire city, resulting in decreased delays, enhanced travel times, and a safer road environment for everyone,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda informed journalists in this location.
He stated that the effective implementation of BATCS throughout the city will guarantee smooth travel within Bengaluru and establish it as a role model for intelligent traffic control in urban India.
BATCS is different from previous traffic management systems in Bengaluru because of its special features and utilization of Al technology, as stated by Joint Commissioner of Police for Bengaluru City Traffic, M N Anucheth.
Contrary to the previous system, BATCS now has real-time adaptability and central monitoring where signal timings are adjusted dynamically based on current traffic densities with the help of camera sensors at all junction approaches. He mentioned that this guarantees the best traffic flow and reduces wait times, leading to more pleasant travel for commuters.
BATCS allows for centralized monitoring of traffic signals from a central control room, leading to faster reactions to changing traffic conditions and simpler modifications to signal timings. Anucheth mentioned that signals on main roads are coordinated to establish sequences of green lights, enabling vehicles to travel without interruptions, ultimately decreasing travel time and enhancing fuel efficiency.
The system additionally includes a function for prioritizing emergency vehicles and can be modified to accommodate pedestrian and public transportation requirements down the line. During accidents or incidents, predetermined plans are evaluated at crucial points using simulation models, and the system can rapidly transition to ensure effective responses,” he stated. He pointed out that the BATCS system differs from the new ‘Moderato’ system, which relies on knowing traffic patterns for signal control.
“On the other hand, BATCS utilizes current traffic volume data and a more straightforward control algorithm to manage these complexities efficiently. Anucheth mentioned that using this method allows BATCS to achieve improved outcomes in Indian traffic conditions with reduced data needs and more reliable key performance indicators.
As of today, 60 intersections have been effectively improved in important locations like Basavanagudi, Jayanagar. JP Nagar and Hudson Circle currently have construction projects underway to make sure all the remaining junctions are completed by January, 2025. He stated that after becoming fully operational, additional optimization and fine-tuning will be done to guarantee smoother and more efficient traffic management throughout the city.
Initial findings indicate notable decreases in travel durations on main routes like KR Road, due to the switch from manual traffic control to automated signal management systems that respond to vehicle presence and adjust as needed. Anucheth further commented that this modification not just lowered traffic jams but also lessened total journey durations for people who travel to work.
The BTP stated they are in close coordination with the BBMP to ensure the project runs smoothly. The BATCS project will enhance current and future infrastructure projects like tunnels, flyovers, and road expansions. Although tunnels and flyovers separate through-traffic, adaptive signaling improves surface-level traffic flow, resulting in an effective and eco-friendly transportation system for the city.
“We encourage the public to cooperate during the installation, testing, and trial operations of BATCS.” Although there may be minor issues, they are crucial for the success of this revolutionary system. Anucheth stated that BTP will engage in public awareness initiatives and utilize multiple media platforms to update citizens on any system rollout disturbances.