16 Mar 2023  |   05:48am IST

First AI traffic signal installed at the Merces junction to streamline traffic woes

Team Herald

PANJIM: The first Artificial Intelligence-operated traffic signal was installed at the Merces junction and e-Challan System was launched on Wednesday by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, which will have the capacity to track traffic violations and even pollution in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. 

The signals have been installed on no-cost basis and will be maintained by the vendor company Beltech AI. 

The pilot project was carried out at Merces junction, which is one of the busiest road junctions in Goa. The system has been installed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh under PPP. Seventy per cent of the fines collected from the violators through the e-Challans will be taken by the vendor while 30 per cent of the same will be given to government. Issuance of e-challans will begin from March 20. The government will launch 16 similar smart signals across Goa mostly for traffic management.

“The government has started employing new technology in different departments like Transport and PWD. Government is trying to make use of technology to create green infrastructure to make Goa green,” Sawant said. 

“The government is ready to take on board private investment to make the green projects a reality,” he said.

The Chief Minister also urged the youth to control their speeds and follow the rules of the State to enable the government reduce fatal accidents in Goa. 

The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Nilesh Cabral said, “Signals were installed under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), but were not being maintained. Under PPP project there will be more signals and maintenance will be ensured. The 14 signals under Smart City project which have a maintenance agreement of two years will also be integrated into the same system and taken over for further upkeep,” he said. 

The AI system developed by which Beltech, observed the traffic at Merces junction for two weeks using 16 cameras, which they had installed at the junction. After two weeks, the signal was switched on in phases under the supervision of the local traffic authorities.