W-TraC to blink from Tuesday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju will, on Tuesday, inaugurate a unique traffic signal system which is a first-of-its-kind in the country at Vellayambalam Junction. The inaugural function will be held at C-DAC office. Developed by C-DAC and installed by the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), the vehicle-actuated Wireless Traffic Controller (Wi-TraC) has been installed at the Junction as part of the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP). In addition to the traffic signal, the PWD Minister will inaugurate the high-mast lamp at the Junction.  In the vehicle-actuated Wi-TraC system, the signals will change according to the volume of traffic. Cameras for the system were imported from Belgium. Wi-TraC is a government-supported research project of C-DAC. The project has the backing of Keltron. Wi-TraC has many advantages over conventional traffic controllers in terms of functional features, energy efficiency and size. The trial run of the traffic signal began more than two months ago. The authorities have introduced some modifications based on the response from trials. Commuters have raised several complaints on where to stop vehicles at the roundabout.  A wireless traffic controller, Wi-TraC is a 32-bit microprocessor-based vehicle-actuated road traffic signal controller which controls the signal lamps through wireless medium. Wi-TraC is compatible with Area Traffic Control System (ATCS). Wi-TraC controller offers an effective alternative to the bulky cables for traffic signals at an intersection in terms of cost and size. R Ravindra Kumar, executive director of C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram, will handover Wi-TraC to chief operating officer of KRFB P C Harikesh. K Muraleedharan MLA will deliver the presidential address. PWD Secretary P H Kurian will deliver the keynote address. Executive director of Keltron K M Gopinathan too will attend the function.