In Bengaluru, the days of depending on traffic police’s physical presence to enforce laws are over. The city’s traffic police have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and handle traffic offenses, altering how road safety is enforced.
Bengaluru is developing its AI-powered traffic enforcement system to detect 13 distinct offenses, up from the existing seven. New additions include wrong-side driving, improper number plates, oversized trucks, malfunctioning mirrors, and unlawful parking. “At present, we use AI-based cameras to enforce seven violations,” stated MN Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru City Traffic). “We will soon expand to cover 13 types of violations,” according to him.
Currently, 330 AI-powered cameras monitor 50 crossroads, with the number likely to grow as the system develops. Bengaluru’s AI system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and can interpret video feeds from a variety of sources, including security cameras, body-worn cameras, and even social media.
“Instead of procuring additional cameras, we decided to obtain AI-based automatic violation detection licenses to utilize our existing infrastructure for traffic enforcement and management,” Anucheth told me. In 2023, the Bengaluru Traffic Police registered over 9 million complaints and earned a record Rs. 185.1 crore in penalties, mostly via contactless enforcement. These estimates are projected to increase dramatically as the AI system expands.
Beyond Enforcement: AI in Traffic Management
Bengaluru’s AI system isn’t just for catching cheaters. It also helps to control traffic flow and promote road safety. Detecting Hazards: Detects wet regions, stray animals, potholes, and abandoned objects. Optimising Traffic Signals: Automatically changes traffic signal timings in real-time to reduce congestion and bottlenecks. Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification (ATCC): Monitors vehicle kinds at various intersections to offer insights for improved traffic management.