Pune: PMC Adopts Cautious Approach to Adaptive Traffic Management System Expansion
Pune, 11th January 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has opted for a prudent “wait-and-watch” stance regarding the expansion of the Adaptive Traffic Management System (ATMS) following its integration into the smart city project.
Administrator Vikram Kumar stated, “No immediate expansion will be pursued. We intend to assess the efficacy of the project post-handover. If the state government doesn’t allocate funds for ATMS, PMC will need to invest. Therefore, before making any decisions, a thorough review of the project is warranted.”
The ATMS, currently operational at 112 out of 125 junctions in the initial phase, is set to undergo expansion to 261 signals. The PMC administration has given approval to the smart city’s request to establish infrastructure for the installation of cameras and other necessary components for these signals.
Notable features of the ATMS include vehicle detector sensors at signals, providing real-time traffic volume data at operating intersections. This information is transmitted to the command and control center, allowing for dynamic adjustments to signal durations based on traffic demands.
According to PMC officials, the previous manual traffic signal system was convenient for on-ground staff. In the old system, traffic police constables could alleviate congestion by manually switching signals from the respective locations. The current automated system, however, presents challenges for the police in managing traffic effectively, as on-ground personnel cannot manually control the signals.
While the ATMS enhances efficiency and offers advanced traffic management capabilities, concerns have been raised by senior police officials about the limitations it imposes on ground-level interventions. The shift from manual to automated systems has prompted a reevaluation of the system’s impact on the daily operations of traffic police constables. The PMC remains cautious about the system’s further expansion, considering both its advantages and challenges.
