E-challan system introduced at 60 traffic junctions
With the new Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS), the Noida authority and traffic police have started issuing e-challans at 60 out of 82 intersections across Noida from Friday. Officials said that the remaining 22 junctions will be ready by June 25.
“Cameras have already been installed at 60 intersections, while installation work is nearing completion at the others. There are 84 intersections in the city, of which two have been permanently converted to U-turns with no halt allowed for vehicles,” said SP Singh, traffic cell, Noida authority.
These cameras can automatically detect and generate challans for offences such as red-light violations, zebra crossing violations, speeding, riding without helmets, unauthorised parking, driving on the wrong side, and triple riding. All fixed cameras have a range of 25-50 metres. After traffic violations are detected, the ITMS issues challans. These are verified and finally sent to offenders by traffic police personnel.
Officials said that the new ITMS will also help with surveillance. There will be 278 fixed cameras installed at 82 intersections. Additionally, 73 pan-tiltzoom (PTZ) cameras will be used for 360-degree surveillance of the intersections. The Noida-greater Noida expressway has also installed 92 fixed, and 46 PTZ cameras every 800 metres along the stretch.
“The ITMS system is also helping us with identifying traffic prone stretches. We can assess problems at every intersection and will gradually work towards improving the overall traffic situation. The system has greatly resolved issues pertaining to unauthorised parking, and driving on the wrong side,” said Ganesh Prasad Saha, deputy commissioner of police (traffic).
Officials said that the ITMS has several additional features, such as an emergency calling box at every intersection. It is a single push SOS button that people can use to communicate with officials in case of any emergency. All intersections also have a public address system to make announcements, especially during traffic jams.
Currently, an Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) is being tried out at 40 locations presently. The system uses sensors to gauge the traffic load at any intersection and manage green time at signals accordingly. For instance, if an intersection experiences heavy traffic during the evening, more green time will be allowed in that period.