Vellore :

Two students of Vellore Institute of Technology ( VIT) University have developed a traffic management system, which functions automatically without manual intervention.

The system christened ‘VIT subway project’, which was installed on the campus in October last year, has been successfully functioning since then. The highlight of the system is that it distinguishes metal objects and people and even differentiates different types of vehicles.

Electronics and communication students Achintaya Kumar and Raghav Gupta used magnetic technology to develop the system under the guidance of an assistant professor in the school of electronics engineering, J Kathirvelan.

“Magnetic technology has not been used widely for vehicle identification. We used magnetic technology as we were particular to identify the vehicles and its movements. The system can identify and record any number of vehicles and we can retrieve information on the vehicles and its movement as and when required,” said Achintaya Kumar.

The students decided to embark on a project after witnessing frequent traffic snarls at a subway on the campus premises. The almost 100-metre long subway is just 3.5-metre wide and only one vehicle could pass through. Moreover, the subway has a blind curve making it difficult for traffic management. Presently, two security guards posted on both sides regulate traffic. But it has remained a Herculean task to streamline traffic.

“A railway track divides the academic zone and hostel zone on the campus. Traffic congestion at the narrow subway during peak hours posed several problems. So we decided to devise a manual-free method to streamline traffic and ease the congestion,” said Kathirvelan.

The system has boom barriers at both ends to prevent the people violating traffic rules. The barrier will lift only when the route is clear. The students developed exclusive software and used advanced equipment like programmable logic controller for overall integration and effective functioning of the system. They plan to seek a patent for their technology.

The students preferred to develop a controller based on their requirement that will work at high voltage (24 volts) when compared to controllers (five volts) generally used in traffic management.

“The system is not only simple but user-friendly and cost effective. It not only helps in reducing traffic congestion and control traffic movement ensuring safety of the people,” said Kathirvelan.

Installed in October last year the system has been functioning successfully without any breakdown.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Bosco Dominique, TNN / February 28th, 2014