Education news
IIT Guwahati: Drones to Track Road Traffic Movement, AI to Predict When and How Jams Occur
· Source: Amar Ujala
Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed mathematical and machine learning models using drones and artificial intelligence to track road traffic and predict jams in India. The study analysed data from over 36,000 vehicles on an eight-lane highway near Delhi and has been published in the International Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems Research.
Development of New Traffic Models by IIT Guwahati
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed new models using drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to understand traffic patterns on Indian roads. To build these models, video and data were collected via drones from a highway near Delhi. The researchers analysed data from more than 36,000 vehicles and approximately 90 lakh vehicle locations to create mathematical and machine learning models that help estimate vehicle speeds and traffic conditions.
Need for Specific Models on Indian Roads
According to Professor Akhilesh K. Maurya from the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Guwahati, traffic flow on Indian roads is distinct compared to several other nations. A single road carries a mix of bikes, autos, cars, buses, other vehicle types, and pedestrians. This causes significant differences in speeds and spacing between vehicles. Existing models were predominantly designed for structured traffic and cannot fully capture the reality of Indian road conditions.
Data Collection and Traffic Behaviour Findings
Researchers flew drones during the daytime over an eight-lane highway on the outskirts of Delhi, which features separate lanes on both sides and wide shoulders. Drone footage enabled the study of vehicle counts, speeds, and gaps across a wide area simultaneously.
- When road traffic is light, vehicles maintain larger distances from each other.
- As traffic increases, spacing between vehicles decreases as they travel close behind one another.
- When extreme congestion or jam-like conditions occur, the distance between vehicles can increase again, showing that the relationship between vehicle volume, speed, and spacing constantly shifts with traffic conditions.
Traffic Volume and Congestion Statistics
The research recorded specific vehicle numbers during normal and congested road conditions.
- Researchers tested 6 mathematical models.
- Researchers developed 2 machine learning models.
- Instead of providing a single speed figure, the models estimate a range of possible speeds to cater to the diverse mix of Indian vehicles.
- The study has been published in the International Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems Research.
| Traffic Condition | Vehicle Count Measurement |
|---|---|
| Fully busy / normal moving traffic | About 3,000 vehicles passed a specific point per lane |
| Halted traffic during a traffic jam | About 900 vehicles per kilometre across the full width of the road |
Benefits of the Study
The models can help predict traffic jams, plan roads and intersections, improve traffic management, operate traffic signals better, assess road capacity, and initiate suitable responses during emergencies. In the future, they can be utilized to build smart traffic systems tailored to the mixed vehicle movement of Indian roads.
Questions
Where did IIT Guwahati researchers collect the drone traffic data from?
The data was collected by flying drones during daytime over an eight-lane highway located on the outskirts of Delhi.
How many vehicles and locations were analysed in the study?
The study analysed more than 36,000 vehicles and about 90 lakh locations.
Where has the research study been published?
The research has been published in the International Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems Research.
How many mathematical and machine learning models were tested or developed?
Researchers tested six mathematical models and developed two machine learning models.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
Not sure what this news means for your exams or admission? Talk it through with a Disha Stars counsellor.
Book a free session