Bengaluru Trials Japanese Traffic Signal Technology, To Be Rolled Out At 28 Junctions By March 2024

In a bid to reduce traffic congestion, Bengaluru has activated the area traffic control system (ATCS) that uses Japan’s 'MODERATO' technology at the junction of Kensington Road and Murphy Road near Ulsoor.

Currently, these junctions have fixed traffic signal timings, irrespective of the volume of vehicles present.

With the management of origin-destination-related adaptation for traffic optimisation (MODERATO) system, signals will dynamically adjust based on the density of traffic at each junction.

If all goes as per Directorate of Urban Land Transport's (DULT’s) plan, the ATCS systems, which are already in place at 28 junctions along MG Road, Hosur Road and Old Madras Road, among others, will be commissioned by March 2024. 

The management and upkeep of the ATCS will be entrusted to the Bengaluru traffic police. This system includes a feature for manual intervention, allowing the passage of VIP and emergency vehicles when necessary.

Bengaluru, which has more than 1 crore vehicles, was the sixth most congested city globally in 2023.

With the ATCS implementation, a projected 30 per cent reduction in average queue length at junctions is expected, alongside an increase in average travel speed.

This Rs 72 crore project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is being carried out by the Japanese firm Nagoya Electric Works Company Limited.