Intelligent traffic light system on Ahmedabad's BRTS bus corridor

It is not be long before you could stop a barrage of vehicles heading your way while you cross a busy road in Ahmedabad with a simple press of a button. This is not a dream. On the ambitious BRTS bus corridor, almost 46 km of the first phase would see special Intelligent traffic lights systems (ITS) located on critical stretches that will have a ‘pedestrian only’ button installed in them. These traffic lights will be installed at an interval of 250 to 300 metres on the critical stretch that sees high density pedestrian movement. One of the main reasons for this system is to help pedestrian access to BRTS bus stops that would located at the centre of the road. The position of the button would be at a level that enables even differently-abled or children to access it. The button, once pressed, will turn red after a brief period to allow the pedestrian to cross. “The ITS traffic lights, which continuously gathers vehicle density data from various traffic sensors on the BRTS stretch will function in a synchronised manner. The moment you press the button to cross, the ITS system will calculate the signal cycle all along the stretch and prioritise pedestrian movement across the road,” says a senior AMC official. However, to prevent any misuse of ‘pedestrian only’ button, traffic volunteers and even police may intervene to fine people who indulge in pranks.