Tech-savvy Transport department hints at AI-based driving tests to cut down mishaps

Hyderabad: The Telangana Transport Department is planning to upgrade driving test tracks with AI-based video analytics to make driving tests more transparent, stringent and technology-driven, said Joint Transport Commissioner M Chandra Shekhar Goud.

On Tuesday, JTC along with Deputy Transport Commissioner Ravindar Kumar, Regional Transport Officer Raghunandan and officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), inspected the driving test tracks at Kondapur and Nagole on Monday.

Speaking during the inspection, Chandra Shekhar said strict and transparent driving tests were essential to improving road safety and reducing road accidents. He said the proposed technology would help minimise human intervention in the testing process.

The department has taken up the initiative after a Committee on Automated Driving Test Tracks visited driving test facilities in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha to study the systems and practices followed there. The committee subsequently submitted its report to the Transport Department.

Based on the committee’s recommendations and directions from Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, and Transport Commissioner K Ilambarithi, the department plans to implement the project in phases.

In the first phase, the department proposes to upgrade driving test tracks within the Core Urban Region (CURE) and the Karimnagar RTO Driving Test Track.

The upgraded facilities will use AI-based video analytics to assess driving tests, with the aim of reducing manual intervention.

The Transport Department and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. are jointly planning the upgrade of the existing driving test tracks and implementation of the AI-enabled testing system.

As part of the preparations, officials conducted a field survey at the Kondapur and Nagole tracks along with HMDA officials Srinivas, Rajashekhar Reddy and Vikram, and committee members Amrita Varshini, Abhilash Naik and Neha, besides RTO official Kondayya.

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MM Farooqui

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M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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