‘SARTHI’ to streamline ever-mounting traffic woes

Visakhapatnam: For long, roads and primary junctions across the city have witnessed severe traffic congestion and wading through them has become a daunting task for commuters, especially during peak hours. Addressing this critical challenge, an AI-based traffic control system has been introduced for the first time in Visakhapatnam. Considered a major step toward transforming Visakhapatnam into a smart and technology-driven city, the Andhra Pradesh government has accorded administrative sanction for implementing Project SARTHI (Systematic Augmented Radial Traffic and Hoop Induction) at an estimated cost of Rs 99.19 crore. The move comes as a big relief to road users, motorists and police personnel as their burden is also going to get eased. The ambitious project aims to set up an integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Intelligent Traffic Management System across 100 key traffic junctions in the city. With vehicular traffic witnessing a steady rise along major arterial roads, beach corridors, BRTS routes and other stretches, the state government recognised the need for a modern, real-time traffic monitoring and management mechanism. As part of the project, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) with support from the city police is deploying advanced AI-powered traffic surveillance and enforcement technologies designed to enhance road safety, improve traffic flow and strengthen law enforcement capabilities.

The proposed system will feature adaptive traffic signals, red-light violation detection cameras, automatic number plate recognition systems, helmet and triple-riding detection technology, wrong-way driving identification and even recognition of substandard number plates. In addition, the platform will facilitate free-flow traffic monitoring, facial recognition capabilities at selected locations, pedestrian safety signals and seamless integration with police command-and-control centres.

As part of the endeavour, adaptive traffic control systems will be installed at 100 major junctions across the city. Free-flow traffic monitoring infrastructure will cover 14 strategic locations in Visakhapatnam.

Along with facial recognition systems to be deployed at 12 locations, the focus is also on introducing pedestrian safety signals at five key intersections to enhance commuter safety. The new system flags drunken driving suspects and minor drivers and alert police accordingly. Prior to granting approval, officials carried out a Proof of Concept (PoC) for the facial recognition component at Satyam junction. The trial successfully tested the system’s ability to identify individuals wearing helmets, while also demonstrating AI-enabled matching of older photographs with current images. Officials informed that the successful outcome significantly boosted confidence in the technology’s potential applications in policing, public safety and law enforcement.

The Project SARTHI’s most significant features is its adaptive traffic control system, which automatically regulates traffic signal timings based on real-time vehicle movement patterns.

Authorities believe the system will substantially reduce waiting period at intersections, improve traffic mobility and alleviate congestion across the city. It also reduces motorists’ travel time and saves fuel wastage. The technology facilitates the creation of dedicated green corridors for emergency services and VVIP movements along critical routes, including NH-16 corridors, Railway station road and BRTS routes.

Briefing on the initiative, Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi highlighted several advantages of the AI-enabled traffic management system. Speaking to The Hans India, the CP informed that the technology would greatly assist authorities in identifying motor vehicle violators, ensuring uninterrupted VVIP movement and establishing green channels during emergencies. The City Police Commissioner observed that the facial recognition technology would help law enforcement agencies monitor known offenders, thereby contributing to crime prevention and public safety.

Shankhabrata Bagchi revealed that the pilot project delivered 100 per cent accurate results during testing and confirmed that the system would now be fully implemented across 100 traffic junctions in Visakhapatnam. He expressed confidence that Project SARTHI would usher in a new era of intelligent traffic management, making Visakhapatnam one of the leading smart cities in the country and setting an example for other cities to follow suit.