In India, signal jumping is a frequent factor in many deadly traffic collisions. The fact that hundreds of people per year lose their lives as a result of another person’s carelessness is disturbing. One method of solving the issue is by punishing the offenders. However, according to Nilesh Kolhakar, Head of Partnership at Traffic Rewards, there is a solution to deal with this.
Traffic Rewards is on a quest to alter Indian drivers’ driving habits by rewarding safe driving. Laws are in place to punish offenders, but there are no programmes in place to recognise and reward safe driving practises on Indian roads. Kolharkar stated when he presented his suggestion at the 108th Indian Science Congress: “Traffic Rewards intends to lead the change with positive reinforcement technique.”
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Ministry of Road Highways, Government of India, have given a pilot project to the Nagpur-based start-up Traffic Rewards in which drivers who obey traffic signals will receive points. The top brands in India offer rewards in exchange for these points.
Eight sensors are installed by Traffic Rewards at various squares as part of this technology, and cars are given RFID tags with a barcode. The sensors can scan numerous vehicles and operate within a 20-meter range. If all traffic regulations are followed, the sensor will track the vehicles and award points to the accounts of the vehicle owners. One can enjoy shopping and use the points that have been credited with more than 800 brands by redeeming these points.
On the West High Court Road stretch, where traffic rewards has put the sensors at traffic lights from Shankar Nagar Square to Japanese Garden Square, the current prototype is currently being tested. Installation of Traffic Rewards is being worked on around the city, and the project is anticipated to begin in full the following month.