The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Bengaluru City Traffic Police (BTP) have formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The strategic partnership aims to leverage data-driven AI solutions to analyze and alleviate traffic challenges in the bustling metropolis.

Under the terms of the MoU, IISc researchers will have access to the vast pool of traffic data generated by the city, which exceeds 30 petabytes each month. The collaboration is poised to usher in a new era of collaboration, allowing IISc experts to work hand-in-hand with BTP in developing innovative solutions to reduce congestion and enhance overall traffic safety.

Mr. MN Anucheth, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Bengaluru City, emphasised the untapped potential of the copious data produced by the city each month. “The motivation behind the MoU with IISc is to enable the development of insights from this largely unused Police data toward alleviating the city’s mobility and traffic safety challenges,” he stated. 

Mr. Anucheth further highlighted the anticipated benefits of training and capacity building initiatives from IISc, which are expected to equip BTP staff with the knowledge base necessary to improve mobility and traffic safety.

In response to the collaboration, Prof Abdul Rawoof Pinjari, Chair of CiSTUP (Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation, and Urban Planning) at IISc, expressed his optimism. “It is heartening that Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) are investing substantial efforts in the measurement and monitoring of mobility and traffic safety in the city,” he noted. 

Prof Pinjari underlined the crucial role of data derived from these efforts, emphasising how it will contribute to enhancing city mobility and traffic safety through research projects and tailored training programs.

The collaboration represents a holistic approach to addressing Bengaluru’s traffic challenges, combining cutting-edge research capabilities from IISc with the practical expertise of BTP. As the city continues to grapple with escalating traffic issues, the joint efforts of these two entities signal a promising step towards a more efficient and safer urban mobility landscape.