Indian Express, Mumbai Newsline: Mumbai, June 6, 2007

Expected to reduce travel time, cut down pollution levels and fuel consumption, the project involves Telvent implementing its RealTime intelligent urban traffic management technological solution-ITACA-at 253 busy road junctions now controlled by traffic signals.

According to R Ramana, senior transport planner, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the implementation of the Area Traffic Control (ATC) system is under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). "The technology will be initially (Phase-I) implemented on 50 short-listed junctions in South Mumbai and later installed at other junctions," he said.

Among the junctions identified are: Wilson College, Band Stand, Kemps Corner, Dahanukar (North) at its junction with Peddar Road, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali, Opera House, Churchgate junction, Air India junction, Mantralaya junction, Regal junction.

Once in operation, ATC is expected to cut down waiting time at traffic signals by almost half.

"We are very pleased that the city of Mumbai has chosen our leading edge technology to provide a solution to its traffic mobility and fluidity problems," Manuel Sanchez Ortega, Telvent's Chairman and CEO told Spanish wire services. "We expect that the new traffic management system will help the city offer a better service for its citizens and reduce gas emissions. It is also an important project for Telvent as it is our first transportation segment contract in India."

According to Telvent, the technology to be used in the system will constantly acquire data on road status, including number of vehicles arriving at intersections by each access point. The acquired data will be used to constantly adjust traffic lights at each intersection in accordance with real-time demand and in coordination with neighbouring intersections. The idea is to achieve optimal coordination between intersections and reduce road traffic congestion.