KOCHI: An integrated traffic management system (ITMS) will soon be unveiled in the city as the Cochin Smart City Mission Ltd (CSML) has initiated steps to upgrade the traffic signals along with setting up a Command Control Centre. Initially, the traffic signal system in 20 major junctions in and around the city will be interlinked.
Though the scope of the project covers only those areas included under the Area Based Development (ABD) plan of smart city projects, the ITMS will be implemented as a pan-city project since it will be effective only if it caters to a larger network over and above the seven junctions identified initially.
“Instead of the present system of isolated signals, in which majority are controlled manually, the ITMS aims at upgrading the entire system to automated technology and interlinking all the signals. This will help in managing the traffic effectively and reduce the number of cases related to traffic violations,” according to experts.
The entire system will be launched at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore. The ITMS consists of a number of electronic equipment working towards improving road traffic conditions.
The project will have two phases in its implementation stages - Enforcement and Traffic Management. While Enforcement deals with detection of traffic violation and imposing fine, Traffic Management pertains to flow detection and optimisation of signal controls.
Various components that come under ITMS for Kochi are vehicle actuated signals, pelican signals, corridor management and area traffic control system, traffic surveillance through PTZ cameras for violation detection and incident management, red light violation detection system, variable message signages and the control centre.
Other projects
According to a CSML officer, the tender proceedings for some major projects worth Rs 135 crore being implemented under the Centre’s Smart Cities Mission are progressing. The agency has also invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for intelligent street poles project.
The project with an initial estimated cost of Rs 250 crore intends to convert the existing street light poles into multi-functional, networked intelligent poles. They not only emit light but will also serve several other purposes, including charging of e-cars, provide free WiFi and make public spaces safer and smarter.
The tender proceedings are on for setting up smart classrooms in the Government schools under the ABD limit. The smart classrooms will be set up at 30 schools in the area under CSML. Another major project which has entered the pre-bidding stage is for installing LED lights on all the street poles in the smart city area. The CSML will also join hands with Kochi metro for extending its bike sharing project along the Metro rail corridor.