AI cameras to be installed on state, national highways around Bengaluru to check speeding

BENGALURU: The number of accidents on state and national highways has been increasing day by day. Along with accidents, the number of traffic rule violators on highways is also doubling. To curb this, the transport department is relying on artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

In the first phase, AI-based cameras will be installed on highways in districts around Bengaluru. It has been decided to install artificial intelligence (AI)-based cameras soon on the highways in the districts surrounding Bengaluru in the first phase, including the Bangalore Rural, Kolar, Tumakuru and Ramanagara.

Last year, the Transport Department collected Rs 120 crore-Rs 160 crore from motorists who violated traffic rules in the state. The AI-enabled cameras are being installed to strictly implement traffic rules. Accident spots, or black spots, have already been identified for the installation of these AI cameras.

AI cameras are expected to be installed mainly in the following places.

– Bangalore Rural: Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur road, Nelamangala, Dobbspet, Hoskote, Hoskote-Gauribidanur Road, H Cross, Doddaballapur.

– Mysuru: Mysuru-Ooty Road, Kadakola, T Narsipura, Mysuru-HD Kote Road, Mysuru-Hunsur Road.

– Kolar: Kolar city, Kolar-Bangarapet road, Kolar-Srinivaspur road.

– Tumakuru: Kunigal Road, Sira, Kunigal-Tumakuru Road, near Maralukere.

– Ramanagara: Ramanagara-Channapatna road, Ramanagara-Kanakapura road.

These AI-based cameras will detect traffic rule violations such as overspeeding, signal jumping, riding without helmet, seatbelt violations and scanning of vehicle number plates. If the registration number plate is defective, it will send information to the Transport Department’s command center. It also covers one-way traffic violations.

S Mallikarjun, Additional Transport Commissioner, said that if a vehicle owner violates traffic rules on highways, they will receive an email or SMS notification. The main intention is to prevent accidents and regulate speeding on highways. Some drivers of heavy vehicles are violating traffic rules, such as using phones while driving. With AI-enabled cameras, many lives could be saved, he said.