MediaTunnel A real-time Traffic Incident Detection System

MediaTunnel, a real-time traffic incident detection system introduced a few months ago, was recently installed for the first time outside Europe – in the Reboucas tunnel of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A real-time traffic detection system enables efficient dispatching of emergency services and rescue teams, and facilitates in reducing the response time to traffic incidents and accidents. Results of MediaTunnel’s functioning in the city’s longest tunnel have been impressive.

Providing rural road connectivity Using GPS and GIS in Gujarat

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, launched in 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity in rural areas of the country, has got a big boost in Gujarat. GPS was used in the state to prepare a GIS database for implementing the Yojana in all its districts. Rajmohan Kurup gives a step-by-step account of how the database for roads was created.

A non-motorised network for Bangalore Cyclists and Pedestrians get their due

Bangalore takes the lead in the country in developing a Non Motorised Transport Network. The network will be used as an inter-modal transportation systems connectivity demonstrator. Also, cyclists will now be able to cycle to their nearest railway stations and bus stops, leave the cycle at those places, travel by train or bus to their destinations, return and cycle back home.

The Archimedes Project

Faced with a large scale increase in the number of private vehicles, rising traffic pollution, constant increase in fuel prices and growing traffic pollution, the European Commission – the executive body of the European Union – launched the Archimedes Project in 2008 under the City-Vitality-Sustainability Plus Initiative. Slated to be completed by 2012, Archimedes has promoted clean fuel environment-friendly vehicles and non-motorised transport, and at the same time, introduced innovative measures to reduce traffic congestion and enhance commuters’ safety.