Venu Sarakki, a Bangalorean, has helped streamline trans-border traffic problems for the US government. In collaboration with two US-based companies, he has provided the design for a “secure electronic network for travellers rapid inspection” (Sentri) programme, which “helps speed flow of commerce across transnational borders as also to identify frequent travellers, who pose no risk”.

As security issues pose problem to the estimated $300 bn worth goods flowing across the US and Mexico, his design to minimise delays while ensuring a thorough background check of travellers has also won him many awards. It also led to his being recognised as the “Entrepreneur of the Year” for 2006 from the American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin, an event sponsored by Boeing, NASA, GM, Ford, Lockheed Martin and other fortune 500 companies.

Venu did his engineering from IIT Madras and joined Michigan State University. With over 18 years of experience in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Information Technology, he hopes something can be done to ease the traffic congestion in his home town. In conversation with Jayalakshmi K of Deccan Herald, he shared his views. Excerpts:

Do you think this kind of system can work in India? Would it be a good idea on our borders?

The short answer is Yes. As the population increases along the border towns, the number of pedestrian and vehicles crossing the border increases due to trade, commerce and family visits. Such increased crossings pose excessive delays and security problems.

A technology like Sentri can help alleviate delays and enhance security since the frequent commuters submit themselves to thorough background check before a Sentri like pass is issued. This pass will include biometric data, which is better than a non-photographic travel document.

What is the main technology involved? (Is it only RFID? If so, wasn’t this available for a long time?)

The Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology or transponder consists of two components. One is an integrated circuit to store frequent commuters’ biometric data for the purpose of identification using radio frequency (RF) waves. The other is an antenna that transmits and receives signal.

While the technology itself is not new, its widespread application to secure border crossing systems and automated toll collection systems is somewhat new.

Since you have worked on intelligent transport systems, what would you suggest for Bangalore traffic?

ITS is the application of advanced computer and communication systems to improve mobility or average traffic speeds. In Europe and the United States, the traffic mix and vehicle flow characteristics such as acceleration and braking are somewhat similar because of homogeneous vehicle mix.

However, in India, the vehicle mix and traffic flow characteristics is heterogeneous. For example, the acceleration and braking characteristics among two wheelers, lorries, cars and animal drawn carts vary significantly. This poses several challenges and we need to restrict ITS applications to only those major roadway corridors that yield maximum benefit in terms of higher travel speeds and reduced congestion and fuel emissions.

What can be done for Bangalore?

Develop a comprehensive ITS master plan. It should lay out short term (2-5 years) mid-term (6-10 years) and long term (11-15years) prioritised projects that would improve traffic flow in Bangalore. The objective is to implement those projects that give quick returns on the investment in the form of smooth traffic flow and reduced congestion.

The master plan should identify rough order of magnitude of costs based on the type of hardware, software and communication requirements and expected range of benefits. This would enable the policy and decision makers to invest tax payers’ money prudently without bias.

Coordinate or synchronise traffic signals using advanced traffic controllers and vehicle detection systems. For example, six or seven intersections can be grouped together so that they all have same total signal time (signal cycle length), say 200 seconds depending on traffic volumes.

We need to expand this concept to all roadways and especially one-way streets — where it works best. If a driver starts from one intersection, he may travel nearly one or two kilometres without stopping. This would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion and delays.

Disseminate actual video images of congested corridors using the internment, Changeable Electronic Message Signs, FM radio and kiosks at major malls so that people can plan their trips to avoid congestion.

Provide advanced incident and accident information to commuters using surveillance cameras before they get to the incident location. While the initial cost may seem high, such technologies have been proved to give high benefit to cost ratio over 3-5 years of operation. With the cost of petrol being so high, the returns in fuel savings alone would offset the costs and can be used for project justification.

Build new ring roads with embedded ITS technologies that can automatically balance and route traffic to adjacent roadways to alleviate traffic congestion (network load balancing). The cost for such improvements is high and should be considered only after other improvements are in place.