Dwarka Expressway: India’s First AI-Powered Smart Highway Transforming Road Safety

In a monumental step toward smart and secure transportation, Delhi’s Dwarka Expressway has been transformed into India’s first AI-powered smart highway. This innovation comes with the deployment of a cutting-edge Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), covering a 56.46 km stretch, combining AI technology, real-time surveillance, and automated traffic enforcement to drastically enhance road safety and reduce violations.

The initiative marks a crucial turning point in India’s road infrastructure strategy, showcasing how intelligent systems can revolutionize urban mobility.

                                                                 Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava

Pioneering Leadership in Smart Mobility

The ATMS project was conceptualized and developed by the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd. (IHMCL) and executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This initiative reflects the vision and leadership of Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava, a pioneering figure in India’s smart mobility landscape.

Known for championing digital transformation across India's highways, Mr. Srivastava has been instrumental in developing intelligent traffic enforcement, electronic toll collection, and now, AI-driven traffic management systems like the one on the Dwarka Expressway.

What Sets Dwarka Expressway’s ATMS Apart?

The AI-powered ATMS turns the expressway into a highly intelligent and responsive corridor. Here's what makes it stand out:

• 110 high-resolution PTZ cameras placed at every 1-km interval for round-the-clock surveillance.
• Covers 56.46 km, including 28.46 km on Dwarka Expressway and the remainder on NH-48.
• Detects 14 categories of traffic violations, such as overspeeding, not wearing seatbelts, and triple riding.
• Seamless integration with the NIC e-challan portal, enabling auto-detection and e-ticketing without police involvement.
• Equipped with smart features like VIDES (Video Incident Detection System), VASD (Vehicle Actuated Speed Display), Variable Message Signboards (VMS), and a centralized Command Centre.
• Capable of sending real-time alerts for traffic disruptions due to accidents, poor visibility, roadblocks, or even stray animals.

Smart Enforcement with Real-Time Detection

A major highlight of the ATMS is its ability to detect a wide range of traffic violations instantly. Once a violation—such as speeding or unsafe riding—is identified, the data is immediately transmitted to the NIC e-challan portal, where digital challans are generated automatically.

This streamlined process not only boosts efficiency but also ensures strict enforcement, reducing manual errors and increasing compliance among commuters.

Safety through Intelligent Emergency Response

More than just a surveillance tool, the ATMS acts as a proactive safety mechanism. With real-time data from cameras and sensors, it quickly identifies road incidents and triggers alerts to the central command centre. Whether it’s an accident, heavy fog, or unauthorized road activity, emergency teams are dispatched swiftly, minimizing delays and potential casualties.

Driving Awareness through Data and Technology

In addition to enforcement and emergency response, the ATMS supports road safety education. Using real-time data, authorities can launch targeted awareness campaigns, educating the public about safe driving practices such as seatbelt usage, speed control, and traffic discipline. This proactive communication fosters long-term behavioral change.

A Model for Smart Cities in India

The launch of the ATMS on Dwarka Expressway signifies more than a technological upgrade—it reflects India’s commitment to building smart infrastructure. As cities expand and traffic density grows, smart highways like this one will play a pivotal role in developing sustainable, efficient, and secure urban ecosystems.

This successful implementation could soon become a replicable model for highways nationwide, paving the way for a smarter and safer road network across India.

Conclusion

The AI-based traffic system on Dwarka Expressway represents a significant leap toward transforming India's road infrastructure. With the leadership of innovators like Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava, the future of Indian highways looks brighter, smarter, and safer.

This project not only strengthens enforcement and safety but also redefines how technology and infrastructure can work together for the greater good. As India advances on its smart city journey, more such innovations will undoubtedly follow—turning highways into hubs of intelligence and safety.

Source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/dwarka-expressway-indias-first-ai-powered-smart-highway-transforming-road-safety-f23b0999cf08