Making Gujarat’s Roads Safer

Automated Driving Test System

The State Government has taken the onus of fully computerising RTOs in all the districts of Gujarat making it easier for the citizens to avail services. Subsequently, many important measures have been taken to make RTOs more sophisticated. However, one initiative that stands apart is the ‘Automated Driving Test System’.

Gujarat is one of the fastest developing states of India, and it has one of the finest road networks in the country. The overall socio-economic development and roads of better quality have also led to a surge in the number of vehicles on roads. While this is good news, it has also presented us with some challenges, such as, road accidents. 

  

The Gujarat government realizes that road accidents can be controlled through proper measures. Creating awareness of road safety measures, road signs and proper behaviour roads can go a long way in reducing road accidents. Many lives can be saved if drivers are trained properly and their driving skills are put to stern tests, before they are allowed to take a vehicle on the road. Thus, the government had taken a concerted drive to introduce computerised knowledge test, which has been successfully accepted in the state.

The Automated Driving Test System effectively tests the driving skills of a person seeking a license. It is a simple yet a very advanced solution. The track is outlined with electronic sensors, and CCTV cameras capture the activity on the track. The track presents the test-taker with a series of real-life like driving challenges such as Up-gradient track, reverse ‘S’ track, parking test, and forward ‘8’ track. There is also a ‘Serpentine Track’ especially for two wheelers. One simply has to drive according to the instructions provided without touching sensors on the sides of the track. For each test-driver a unique electronic identity is created in the computer system, which records the progress of the vehicle on the track. The CCTV sends live video feed to the control room which is recorded in the system as well. The computer knows whether one has violated sensors and upon completion generates a report instantly. Immediately afterwards, one is told, with proof, whether she or he has ‘Passed’ or ‘Failed’ the test.

Gujarat State transport department can probably boast of having more number of automated test tracks than present in the entire country. Currently there are 21- two wheeler test tracks and 16 four wheel test tracks are under development in the state.

J P Gupta, IAS

Commissioner of Transport - Gandhinagar