AI Takes The Wheel: India’s First Smart Traffic System Debuts On Delhi’s Dwarka Expressway
The goal of the AI-based traffic system goes beyond just catching traffic violations. Public education and awareness are equally central to the initiative.
India's first AI-based Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) has been launched on Delhi's Dwarka Expressway. The system went live on Wednesday and is being touted as a game-changer in digital traffic enforcement and highway safety. The project aligns with the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) push for smarter highways under its 2023 modernisation guidelines.
A Smart Highway Spanning 56 Kilometres
The high-tech system covers the full 28.46-km stretch of Dwarka Expressway and an additional 28-km section of National Highway 48, connecting Shiv Murti to Kherki Daula. This combined 56.46-km corridor is now being used as a national model for integrating artificial intelligence into traffic management.
The project has been developed by the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL) and executed under the supervision of NHAI. The system is designed to detect and respond to a variety of road situations in real time, enhancing both efficiency and safety.
"The system includes multiple components like traffic monitoring cameras and video-based incident detection and enforcement tools," said Amrit Singha, Chief Product Officer at IHMCL. "The ATMS can detect up to 14 different types of traffic violations, including overspeeding, triple riding, and failure to wear a seatbelt — each punishable under the Motor Vehicles Act."
Five Pillars of the AI Traffic System
NHAI detailed the five core components that make up this AI-enhanced system:
- Traffic Monitoring Camera System (TMCS): Equipped with 110 high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom cameras at 1-km intervals, offering round-the-clock surveillance.
- Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (VIDES): Capable of identifying accidents, obstructions, and rule violations as they happen.
- Vehicle Actuated Speed Display System (VASD): Alerts drivers in real time about their speed.
- Variable Message Signboards (VMS): Used to broadcast important updates, including weather conditions and traffic advisories.
- Central Control Room: The command centre that oversees the entire corridor, enabling coordinated responses during emergencies and integrating seamlessly with local and national authorities.
Described as the "digital brain" of the corridor, the control room plays a key role in dispatching emergency services during accidents, congestion, or adverse weather. Importantly, the system is also connected to the NIC’s E-challan platform, enabling real-time sharing of violation data with law enforcement for quick action.
Creating Smarter, Safer Roads
The goal of the ATMS goes beyond just catching traffic violations. Public education and awareness are equally central to the initiative.
"We see technology as a key enabler in achieving road safety goals. Alongside enforcement, we run information dissemination and educational programs for road users," said Singha.
With its AI-powered monitoring tools, real-time response capabilities, and integration with enforcement agencies, the ATMS on Dwarka Expressway is not just a technological upgrade — it’s a blueprint for the future of Indian roadways.
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