Date:30/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/30/stories/2006113001110200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Researcher offers key to better traffic management

Special Correspondent

S. Srinidhi has customised software used to simulate flow of traffic

LONG WAIT: Traffic snarls are the bane of most roads in Bangalore. This file picture shows a long queue of vehicles at a traffic intersection on Mahatma Gandhi Road. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: Customising software applied for the production process in manufacturing industries to simulate the flow of traffic and its stopping at intermittent signals was a brainwave for this young research scholar at the Indian Institute of Science.

The duration of red light signals functioning at certain busy intersections within the central business district was the subject of study of S. Srinidhi.

The results were presented at a recent conference in Europe where they were received well.

Waiting time

Taking into account traffic flow at the Mahatma Gandhi Road-Kamaraj Road Junction, it was found that waiting time at the signal could be reduced by an average of forty seconds, thereby allowing more vehicles to pass within a specific period of time instead of waiting and allowing more vehicles to line up.

Also taken into account was the constant stream of traffic at the Mahatma Gandhi Road-Brigade Road intersection. Helped by two senior faculty members, the research scholar customised software used in production units. Roads were substituted for conveyor belts in the assembly line and machines substituted for intermittent traffic signals. Experiments were carried out with different timings for vehicles to stop and pass the signals.

After more than ten trials, the optimum timings of traffic signals at different points were arrived at. Taking into account the average traffic flow, waiting time could be reduced at the intersections from 40 to 20 seconds during most hours of the day, it was found.

The traffic police have shown keen interest in the experiments and simulated traffic flow studies. They may even implement it with certain modifications.

Mr. Srinidhi is now working on a plan for an "area traffic controlling system" for Bharat Electronics Ltd., which manufactures traffic signals. The aim is to develop an area-specific signal system, based on data sensors on the roads that record every passing vehicle on a specific stretch.