In an attempt to tackle traffic chaos, the Delhi Traffic Police is set to introduce variable message signboards (VMS), which will alert motorists about impending traffic jams on major roads in the national Capital.
These boards, which will be installed at various intersections, will alert drivers about traffic bottlenecks and help commuters take appropriate diversions. Variable message signs are one of the quickest methods to notify a road user on real-time changes in traffic patterns and road conditions. The Traffic Police authorities have identified 50 intersections on the Ring Road where these boards will be installed initially.
According to the Delhi Traffic Police, this system will save around 60 per cent of motorists’ time during traffic jams as the boards will be directly connected to the central command room. Such boards are widely used in Europe, China, the US, Korea and Singapore, among others.
The technology is going to be widely used in Delhi for the first time, claimed Traffic Police authorities. “This project will save Delhiites’ time by giving them information on changing traffic patterns. The boards will be installed at 50 intersections such as AIIMS flyover, Dhaula Kuan flyover, Mayapuri flyover, Maharani Bagh and Azadpur. Whenever there are jams due to accidents, congestion or waterlogging, the boards installed at least 200 metre ahead of the site will pass the information to the commuters so that they can take an alternative routes to save time. This will reduce length of the traffic tail,” said a Traffic Police official.
“Traffic helplines and social networking sites provide traffic updates to commuters, however, they are not so fast. Various radio stations also give traffic updates, but it’s hard to remember the names of jammed roads. These boards will help drivers effectively,” claimed a Traffic Police officer.
These boards will be approximately four metre wide and 1.5 metre long so that drivers can notice them easily. These digital lED signboards will show complete traffic messages. In VMS, the information comes from a variety of traffic monitoring and surveillance systems and by providing real-time information; it can guide vehicles’ route selection, reduce travel time, improve performance of the transportation network and mitigate the duration and severity of an incident.