City road users in Ahmedabad, India, need to be aware that the 1,600-odd CCTV cameras located at 130 junctions are currently being upgraded. These cameras will soon be equipped with an AI program that can detect 32 different traffic offences, including speed limit violations.
The Ahmedabad Smart City Company (ASCC) is overseeing this upgrade and has invited proposals from agencies to expand the capabilities of these upgraded cameras. The new functions will allow the cameras to detect not only speed limit violations but also unauthorised entry into the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor, usage of mobile phones while driving, and failure to wear seatbelts.
A successful trial run conducted last year achieved a 95% accuracy rate in detecting speed limit violations through the AI program. The latest software update aims to improve the efficiency of e-memos, which are electronic memos used to take swift actions against violations.
Under the Safe and Secure Ahmedabad (SASA) initiative, the ASCC has installed a total of 5,629 CCTV cameras, with 1,695 of them placed at 130 traffic junctions for surveillance. This project, initiated seven years ago by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the city police, cost Rs 314 crore and involved the installation of 6,500 surveillance cameras at 130 ‘zero tolerance’ traffic junctions.
Currently, the city police issue e-memos for three types of traffic offences: jumping red lights, crossing stop lines, and speeding over the limit. However, the ASCC plans to expand the scope of e-memos to cover 32 traffic violations, including seatbelt violations, dark films on car windows, blocking left turns, parking infractions, and using fancy number plates.
Mihir Patel, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of the Smart City project, stated that they have issued a request for proposal (RFP) from agencies to upgrade their AI software. This upgrade will enable the smart cameras to issue e-memos for various types of traffic violations.
