AI-based solutions being studied for traffic management in the Nilgiris

The Nilgiris district police have launched a pilot project that envisages using inputs from college students in coming up with Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered solutions for traffic management systems in the district.

At the inauguration of the project, the Nilgiris district Superintendent of Police, N.S. Nisha, said that around 50 students pursuing a Bachelors’ degree in Technology (B.Tech), will be split into teams, each with a directive to study different problems with traffic management systems.

“Students will undertake studies on how AI can be integrated with traffic management, with different groups working on separate issues, such as intelligent-parking prediction models, QR-based entry-exit models, live tracking models and automatic number plate detection models,” said Ms. Nisha.

The SP said that the student-led pilot studies, in collaboration with an automation company, is being funded by the Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Ms. Nisha said that following the two-month-long pilot study, expected to begin in February and March of next year, the solutions from the students will be analysed by the police, who will look into which systems can be integrated into traffic management in the Nilgiris. She said that the pilot projects would be trialled for implementation in parts of Udhagamandalam town based on their feasibility.

The Nilgiris district police said that traffic management continued to be one of the most challenging issues to solve in the Nilgiris, with continuous efforts being undertaken at the main towns of Coonoor, Udhagamandalam and Kotagiri, especially during the weekends and during the peak tourist seasons every summer and winter.