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Maharashtra is all set to embrace modern traffic management with the installation of its first Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. This development is spearheaded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), aimed at enhancing road safety and traffic control.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway witnesses a daily traffic flow of around 40,000 cars, which escalates to over 60,000 on weekends. The implementation of the ITMS is expected to revolutionize traffic management on this crucial route, with officials targeting its operationalization by the first week of June.
As part of the initial phase, 218 artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras have been strategically positioned on 39 gantries spanning a 95-kilometer stretch of the expressway. These cameras are capable of detecting 17 different types of traffic offenses, ensuring stringent enforcement of traffic regulations. Additionally, automatic number plate recognition technology will be integrated into toll booths, enabling the issuance of e-challans to violators.
To cater to the needs of goods transporters, weigh-in-motion devices will be installed at all expressway entries, while weather monitoring systems will be deployed at 11 locations to provide real-time updates on weather conditions. Furthermore, existing emergency vehicles, including tow vans, cranes, and ambulances, will be equipped with vehicle tracking systems to enhance response times during emergencies.
Variable messaging sign boards positioned at 23 locations along the expressway will serve as valuable communication tools for motorists, offering crucial information such as traffic conditions, road closures, and weather forecasts. Superintendent of Highway Traffic Police (Panvel), Tanaji Chikle, emphasized the significance of this technological advancement in improving road management and ensuring motorist safety.
Under the ITMS framework, vehicles found violating traffic rules will have their live feed transmitted to the nearest toll booth. Upon approaching the booth, a hooter will sound, alerting authorities and aiding in enforcing traffic discipline. This proactive approach aims to curb speeding and promote adherence to traffic regulations.
Furthermore, e-challans issued through the ITMS will hold vehicle owners accountable for any pending violations, with traffic police withholding 'no dues certificates' essential for the renewal of heavy vehicle registrations until all fines are settled.
The successful implementation of ITMS on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway sets the stage for similar initiatives on other highways, with plans already underway to introduce a comparable system on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, making it the state's second ITMS-equipped highway.
With these technological advancements, Maharashtra is poised to usher in a new era of road safety and efficient traffic management, ensuring smoother and safer journeys for commuters across the state.
