The challenge
Bengaluru faced severe traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, uncoordinated systems, and environmental concerns.
The solution
Bengaluru Traffic Police and Arcadis deployed ASTraM, a smart, scalable, and sustainable traffic management solution.
The impact
ASTraM has improved urban traffic management, showcasing its potential as a global, data-driven solution for sustainable and future-ready cities.
20%
Reduction of congestion in critical corridors
10%
Reduction in vehicular emission
30%
Reduction in emergency response time
The challenge
Bengaluru, India's largest tech hub and the world's sixth most congested city, has faced severe traffic challenges. With over 12 million vehicles on roads, the city suffered economic losses, pollution, delayed emergency responses, and reduced quality of life. The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) lacked real-time traffic data, relying on reactive measures and slow incident reporting, which disrupted safety and traffic flow. Large events further strained infrastructure. Despite various efforts, issues like poor integration and data use have hindered their success.
Given that, an innovative strategy to help improve road safety, emergency services, and traffic management was needed.
The solution
The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) launched the Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management (ASTraM) project, an AI-driven platform. ASTraM, a name that signifies a powerful and strategic tool, uses advanced data analytics, predictive intelligence, and AI to transform traffic management. It provides real-time situational awareness offering live traffic insights, incident detection, and congestion monitoring, uses AI prediction models and Simulation models to derive actionable intelligence, track and monitor response, and shares relevant information across all stakeholders. The incidents are shared as API for any map service provider to show in public maps. This open and collaborative data sharing is a key component of the systems effectiveness. The AI model predicts congestion hotspots and simulates event disruptions, enabling proactive decision-making. Meanwhile, its e-Path tracks and prioritizes emergency vehicles by creating "green corridors" for faster response times with real-time alerts when ambulances get stuck and priority at traffic signals. Furthermore, citizens can access these real-time traffic updates, incident alerts, and other vital information through the BTP ASTraM citizen companion app, empowering them to make informed travel decisions.
ASTraM predicts the effects of planned events and suggests ways to reduce problems. It encourages teamwork by connecting different groups for easy data sharing and coordinated actions. Its flexible design allows cities to adopt new technologies like smart parking, 5G networks, and autonomous vehicles without needing major hardware upgrades.
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Alongside other providers, Arcadis played a key role in deploying and operationalizing ASTraM, using our expertise in traffic engineering, data analytics, AI modeling, simulation modeling, and sustainable design. This involved real-time data collection, predictive analytics, and emergency response management. Arcadis also collaborated with stakeholders to share data and provided insights to improve traffic flow, mobility, and safety, while ensuring the system supports long-term sustainability goals.
The impact
ASTraM has transformed urban traffic management, yielding significant benefits such as reduction in congestion up to 20% on critical corridors and emergency response times by 30%. Environmentally, it has cut emissions by 10%, reduced fuel consumption, and supported climate goals. Real-time updates and predictive analytics have improved commuter safety and convenience, reducing stress. Businesses enjoy better punctuality and logistics, while quieter, safer roads enhance the quality of life for residents.
ASTraM's success in Bengaluru has made it a global model for sustainable, data-driven traffic solutions, showcasing innovative problem-solving, scalable technology, and measurable impact, and its design is being considered by other metropolitan areas. It addresses urban mobility challenges while paving the way for future-ready smart city initiatives worldwide.
