Bengaluru Police plans to use AI to hunt down traffic violators and manage congestion and jams

Bengaluru is stepping into the future of traffic management with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle traffic violations and improve road safety. The city’s traffic police are expanding their AI-driven system to monitor and catch violators more efficiently, eliminating the need for a constant physical police presence on the streets.

This shift is expected to revolutionise how rules are enforced in one of India’s busiest cities. Currently, AI technology is being used to detect seven types of traffic violations in the city. According to MN Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police for Bengaluru City Traffic, this system is about to get even more powerful.

The number of monitored violations will rise to 13, covering offences like wrong-side driving, illegal number plates, overloaded goods vehicles, faulty mirrors, and illegal parking. These additions will make the city’s enforcement system more comprehensive and help in clamping down on previously unchecked violations.

More from Tech

How ChatGPT is becoming everyone’s BFF and why that’s dangerous America ready for self-driving cars, but it has a legal problem

AI on the streets of Bengaluru
At present, Bengaluru has 330 AI-powered cameras positioned at 50 key junctions across the city, and this number is set to grow as the AI system expands.

The system works through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which can process video feeds from multiple sources, including surveillance cameras, body-worn cameras, and even social media. The idea is to make use of existing infrastructure, avoiding the need to install additional cameras.

Instead of simply focusing on issuing fines, Bengaluru’s AI system will enhance overall traffic management.

For example, the technology will automatically detect waterlogged areas, stray animals, potholes, and unattended objects on roads, helping improve safety for all road users. Additionally, AI will optimise traffic signal timings based on real-time data, reducing congestion at busy junctions.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

America ready for self-driving cars, but it has a legal problem

Alibaba, Baidu begin using own AI chips as China shifts away from US tech amid Nvidia row

Impressive results so far
The results of Bengaluru’s AI-powered enforcement system have already been impressive. In 2023 alone, the city’s traffic police booked nearly 9 million cases, collecting a record Rs. 185.1 crore in fines, most of which were issued through contactless enforcement.

With the system now expanding, those figures are expected to rise even higher as AI takes over more aspects of traffic management and violation detection.

Beyond just catching offenders, Bengaluru’s AI system will also use Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification (ATCC) to monitor the types of vehicles at various junctions. This data will provide valuable insights that can help authorities manage traffic flow more effectively, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring smoother rides for motorists.

By integrating AI into its traffic management efforts, Bengaluru is not only aiming to improve road safety but also to create a more efficient, future-ready system.

As this technology continues to evolve, the city could soon serve as a model for other urban areas looking to modernise their approach to traffic management.