AI-based traffic study planned for 420 km of South Delhi road network

The Delhi government plans to conduct an artificial intelligence-based traffic and road-safety audit covering more than 420 km of roads in South Delhi.

The study will cover 270 roads, including the Outer Ring Road, Ring Road, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Hansraj Gupta Marg, Sri Aurobindo Marg and Maharaja Agrasen Marg.

The Public Works Department plans to appoint a consultant at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore. The consultant will also prepare a detailed project report setting out the measures required after the study.

The audit will use AI-based traffic analysis and other modern technologies to identify congestion hotspots, critical bottlenecks and accident-prone areas.

“The traffic study will prepare a short-term implementation plan comprising traffic management measures, operational improvements and other low-cost engineering interventions with a priority implementation schedule and indicative cost estimates,” an official said.

The project plan also provides for a policy on new road interventions based on the findings of the study.

“Based on the existing traffic congestion, critical bottlenecks and delayed corridors, a policy for new flyovers, underpasses, elevated corridors and other road interventions that might be required will be prepared,” the project plan stated.

Infrastructure feasibility studies will also be carried out as part of an integrated and sustainable mobility framework.

The study will assess the performance and future demand of public transport corridors and recommend measures to improve public transport efficiency, reliability and ridership.

The road-safety component will examine existing CCTV surveillance coverage and explore automatic incident-detection mechanisms.

The study will also assess public transport services, including buses and the Metro, along with last-mile connectivity and whether improvements are required.

“The traffic study will function as a decision-support system for integrated urban transport planning, enabling evidence-based interventions aimed at improving mobility, road safety, operational efficiency, accessibility and environmental sustainability,” officials added.

The PWD currently manages around 1,400 km of roads across Delhi, comprising roads with a width of 60 feet and above.

The proposed South Delhi study is intended to examine traffic conditions across the selected network and identify measures that can be taken to improve traffic movement and road safety.