Soft launch of GTC pilot project soon couple of weeks

The soft launch of ground traffic control (GTC) pilot project to be undertaken at the Koyambedu Bus Terminus in Chennai by the telematics expert panel of the core-group on automotive research and development (CAR) is expected to take place in the next couple of weeks.

Addressing the mediapersons, S Sadagopan, director of Indian Institute of Information and Technology (IIIT), Bangalore, and a member of the core-group on CAR, said that when airplanes can be guided to the aerobridges from the time of landing to their take-off in an orderly manner, why cannot we direct buses in and out of bus stations seamlessly without chaos and confusion.

"The challenge attempted by the Koyambedu project is to replicate the same technology which is used to guide aeroplanes in and out of airports at an affordable cost. If this pilot project is successful, it would be replicated throughout India in various outstation bus terminals," he added.

The project cost is estimated to be around Rs 3 crore which will be funded by the ministry of heavy industries, Government of India. Two buses "� 15B and 70 "� have been identified. While the former runs from Koyambedu to Parry's through Central and Egmore Railway Station, the latter will run from Tambaram to Avadi via Koyambedu.

The Koyambedu Bus Terminus is spread over 36.5 acre. The terminus, which has the capacity to handle over 2,000 buses and two lakh passengers every day, is touted to be the largest bus terminal in South Asia.

GTC simply avails of to the bus driver digital maps, driving information, information like where the service stations, gas stations, parking facilities and restaurants are located. It guides him on stationing his vehicle at the terminus. All of this is done with the help of the global positioning system (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS).

GTC cuts out the chaos familiar to bus stations at present. It streamlines and disseminates information on bus location, destinations, departure and arrival and other related issues to the passengers, saving them a lot of trouble and confusion. Further, value additions can be made to the GTC system to streamline and make available all information on bus schedules, actual departures and arrivals, delays and even the whereabouts of any particular bus.

Vehicle navigation systems can help the driver in planning the route according to traffic conditions. Similarly, vehicle remote diagnostics can aid to assess the condition of the bus.