Kolkata: Sound sensors to check speeding

Kolkata: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to install signal posts with sound sensor technology in a bid to curb accidents in the national highways across the state. The sound will alert the driver whenever he exceeds the earmarked speed at a particular place.

“Accident related studies in the country have revealed that over speeding, or driving beyond the prescribed speed limit account for the maximum number of fatal cases. It also pointed out that the driver’s reaction to sound technology is much greater in comparison to awareness campaigns on speed limit. To begin with, we will install these special signal posts fitted with thermostat camera and sound sensor technology at the accident prone areas,” a top NHAI official said.

Explaining the technology, the official said that the automatic signal post would measure the speed of the vehicle, and cameras will start recording footage everytime it crosses the prescribed speed limit. The signal post, which will be connected to each other, will start making a sound to alert the driver.

As per figures of the Bengal traffic department, accidents in the national highways across the state has been on the rise. In 2015, there have been 13,208 accidents  that killed 6234 people. In 2014, there were 12,875 accidents, and fatal cases were 5,875. In 2013, the number of accidents were 12,414 and death toll was 5,504. National Highways 2, 34 and 117 have witnessed the maximum number of accidents in recent times.

Experts from IIT Khargapur, who are working with NHAI on highway road safety, believe that the sound sensor technology will be effective particularly in the hilly roads where there are plenty of sharp turns and curves, and a driver is not able to spot the vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

“The conflict between motorised and non motorised vehicles is a major challenge in the Bengal highways as there is a lack of service roads. We have also recommended the NHAI for creating cross pedestrian facility particularly in locations where there are schools and children need to cross the highways,” Dr Bhargab Maitra, professor in civil engineering IIT Kharagppur said.