The Indian Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) is harnessing cutting-edge technologies to transform transportation systems, offering solutions to mobility challenges through its i-Hub-Data Centre. While the spotlight in transportation often rests on self-driving cars, IIITH’s initiatives go far beyond autonomous navigation.
Among their efforts is a focus on detecting traffic violations, such as helmetless riding, triple riding, and wrong-side driving. Unlike fixed CCTV cameras, which are predictable and limited in coverage, IIITH leverages “Bodhyaan,” an advanced research vehicle equipped with sensors, to capture dynamic traffic data and improve enforcement mechanisms. These video-based solutions ensure better compliance and support efficient challan issuance.
IIITH’s research team addresses pervasive traffic issues like two-wheeler violations, which account for a significant share of road accidents. By deploying dashcams on vehicles like buses and cabs, they gather city-wide footage to detect violations and generate challans, overcoming the limitations of static surveillance systems.
The use of a distributed approach introduces an element of unpredictability, enhancing rule enforcement and improving road safety. Additionally, a specialized two-wheeler platform focuses on safety through technologies such as fall detection, rider alerts, and smart helmets, while also generating behavior-based driving scores to promote safe practices.
IIITH has also pioneered drone-based infrastructure assessments, revolutionizing how building safety surveys are conducted. Combining drones with computer vision technology automates complex evaluations, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy. Another standout project involves tree density mapping, where GPS-enabled cameras mounted on two-wheelers assess green cover post-plantation drives. This scalable solution, initially developed for inner-city areas, was later expanded to cover outer regions, demonstrating IIITH’s versatility in addressing environmental challenges.
The i-RASTE project, launched in Nagpur and extended to Telangana, utilizes AI-driven predictive systems to enhance road safety. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with dashcams installed in city buses detect potential collisions, track driver behavior, and map accident-prone zones. The initiative integrates technology with community engagement by combining data insights with driver awareness programs, leading to reduced accidents and improved compliance.
IIITH’s i-Hub Data Centre, developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems, bridges the gap between research and practical applications. With a dedicated engineering division, the Hub ensures scalable deployment of mobility solutions, translating innovative ideas into impactful real-world interventions for transportation, infrastructure, and environmental management.
