They blinked in Jaipur in 2012, now it's the city's turn to follow suit.
Electronic traffic signals, developed by Netherlands-based firm ARS Traffic &Transport Technology (ARS T & TT) and installed at four crossings, have held out the hope of respite from perennial road snarls.
Patna traffic superintendent of police (SP) P.K. Das said on Tuesday that the technology used in the four new traffic signals between Income Tax roundabout and Dakbungalow crossing had already been successfully tested in Jaipur in 2012. The signals are gradually being installed by the Dutch firm under contract with Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo), replacing the existing ones across the city.
BUIDCo signed the agreement with ARS T&TT on November 7 last year for the intelligent traffic system, which envisages installation of 97 traffic signals at an estimated outlay of Rs 25.2 crore.
The intelligent transport system being put in place in the city includes installation of electronic traffic signals with closed-circuit television cameras, which would be interconnected through a Wi-Fi network.
"All equipment for the traffic signals have been installed at three intersections on New Dakbungalow Road and their trial run would be held over the next week under the supervision of experts. Civil works for installation of the traffic signals at SP Verma Road and Fraser Road are in progress. We expect to commence the operations of the traffic signals in Dakbungalow area, SP Verma Road and Fraser Road within a fortnight," said a senior BUIDCo official.
Of the 97 proposed traffic signals, 25 would have fixed timers, while the rest would be adaptive traffic signals controlled from a control room. Under the latter system, the timing for the signals changes or adapts based on actual traffic demand.
Traffic SP Das said the control room for the electronic traffic signals would be beside the Dial 100 control room at the office of senior SP, Patna, in north Gandhi Maidan.
"The traffic signals being installed would be non-adaptive and their timers would be fixed depending on the traffic flow during different timings in the day. The CCTV cameras would take photographs of the number plates of vehicles violating traffic norms," he said.
According to the initial plan, BUIDCo would install and maintain the electronic traffic system for three years and Patna Municipal Corporation would pay the electricity bills.
Traffic signals were first installed at 17 locations in the city in 2005. A traffic police officer recalled: "In less than six months, the signals began developing snags and stopped working. Although the agreement stated Webel Mediatronics Limited was responsible for their maintenance for five years, no attempt was made to repair the signals."
