In a strategic move, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to take a cautious approach to the potential expansion of the Adaptive Traffic Management System (ATMS) after its integration into the smart city project. Administrator Vikram Kumar emphasized the need for a thorough review of the project’s efficacy before any decisions are made, considering the possibility of PMC needing to invest if state government funds are not allocated for ATMS.
The ATMS, currently operational at 112 out of 125 junctions in the initial phase, is slated for expansion to 261 signals. PMC has granted approval for the establishment of infrastructure to accommodate cameras and other necessary components for these additional signals as per the smart city’s request.
Key features of the ATMS include real-time traffic volume data provided by vehicle detector sensors at signals. This data is transmitted to the command and control center, enabling dynamic adjustments to signal durations based on traffic demands.
While the automated system enhances efficiency and offers advanced traffic management capabilities, concerns have been raised by senior police officials about its limitations in on-ground interventions. The previous manual traffic signal system allowed traffic police constables to manually control signals from respective locations, a feature not available in the current automated system.
The cautious approach adopted by PMC reflects the need to balance the system’s advantages with the challenges it presents, especially in terms of daily operations for traffic police constables. The decision to wait and assess the ATMS’s effectiveness post-handover will play a crucial role in shaping the future of traffic management in Pune.
