Artificial Intelligence to Regulate Traffic in Punjab

The Rising Panjab Bureau

The decision of the Punjab Police to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent road fatalities is a welcome move as the Traffic Department of Punjab Police headed by Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) A.S.Rai signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Map My India, Gurugram-based Intozi Tech Pvt Ltd, Punjab-based SAFE Society and Jaipur-based Muskaan Foundation with a view to curbing traffic chaos and to make road transportation safer and more efficient in Punjab. The MoUs were signed during a ceremony at the Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre in SAS Nagar recently.

This comes when the number of vehicles on the roads has been increasing at a rapid pace every year resulting in more traffic chaos that at times leads to road rage and fatal accidents.  Growing impatience while being on the road due to heavy traffic jams and delays results in rash driving putting self and others’ lives to risk.  The move precedes the launch of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF).  SSF, as a dedicated police team will aim to ensure better road safety and go after criminals on the roads.

The said four partner companies would adopt and use latest scientific methodology to make culture of scientific inquiry and knowledge a norm to increase road safety and make traffic management strategies more effective.  The introduction of AI is meant to empower road safety and increase traffic control in Punjab and better manage the traffic to prevent road accidents. “This initiative will bolster the state’s expertise in traffic management, control, transportation, road safety engineering, Intelligent Transport Solutions, m-policing, e-policing and training within the state police force,” ADGP Rai said. “This initiative will not only create a safer environment for all citizens by reducing road fatalities and serious injuries, but will also bolster the state's expertise in traffic management, control, transportation, road safety engineering, Intelligent Transport Solutions, m-policing, e-policing, and training within the state police force,” added ADGP Rai.

While governments can formulate rules and policies, create infrastructure, and depute the required manpower, it is we the people who are mainly responsible to adhere by the rules in true letter and spirit.  Governments can create deterrence but the better option is always to be a law-abiding citizen ourselves.