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Tgenerations of technology upgrades. Contributions from professional experts, police, designers, engineers and vendors from the world over have been incorporated into this evidential enforcement-cum-educational tool.
IRTE believes and embraces the rapid convergence of varied technologies, especially of automobiles, digital electronics, telecom and global positioning, classified under the wide definition of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
At this juncture, it shall be appropriate to put on record the following:
- The INTERCEPTOR is a System and not merely a set of Equipment.
- The system comprises appropriate vehicle platform, enforcement equipment and accessories duly customized, most of it specially developed for on-board durability and tropicalised for performance on demanding Indian roads, cities and highways and under extreme weather conditions.
- The most important part of the system is the Center of Analysis and Research in Road Safety (CARRS). This center analyses all the recordings made by the Interceptor vehicles. Details of the work done by the center is mentioned in "Philosophy behind the Creation"
- Since, the development of the Interceptor remains an ongoing process, the specifications listed hereunder are bound to have a shelf life, and shall be thus subject to periodic changes and upgrades. The best Interceptor shall always be 'the next one'.
Objectives
The Interceptor has been visualized and developed keeping multiple objectives in mind, namely: a) Evidence Based Traffic Law Enforcement
This approach guarantees accurate and reproducible evidence of errant driving behaviour or traffic or infrastructure situations. While eliminating legal disputes and doubts, traffic education is imparted and awareness is cultivated in ignorant and negligent road users.
b) Enforcement on a Mobile Platform
Mobility of this comprehensive enforcement tool is its unique virtue. The enforcement crews can conveniently and quickly move over to demanding and strategic locations. The element of surprise comes as an added bonus, thus eliminating predictability amongst the road users.
c) Traffic Education
Utilizing the on-board audio-visual equipment, the Interceptor can be deployed at diverse locations for audio-visual traffic education programs.
d) Primary First Aid and Rescue
The Interceptors are capable of primary first aid and rescue operations in road accident situations.
e) Road and Infrastructure Surveys
Utilizing its mobility and on-board video documentation features, the Interceptors can be used to survey and record conditions of roads, highways and infrastructure. The recordings can be played back for reviews, studies, presentations and appraisals by concerned authorities responsible for maintenance, planning, enforcement etc.
f) Deterrent
The Interceptor has a prominent exterior appearance combined with high visibility graphics intended to project an overwhelming impression of law, discipline, agility and technology. While adding immensely to the confidence of the enforcement agencies, the Interceptor has earned a dreaded reputation amongst potentially errant road users. The primary result; improved road discipline at the very sight and knowledge of its deployment.
Functional Components
a) Vehicle Platform
While the original choice of vehicle has been Maruti Gypsy, Interceptors have been built on other vehicles as well, viz. Maruti Omni, Maruti Esteem & Toyota Qualis etc.
The current choices of vehicle is based upon- optimum size, payload, performance, diesel engine, tight turning radius, high build quality and reliability, etc.
b) Vehicle Customisation
The vehicle is the very foundation of the Interceptors, which calls for extensive and professional customization to ensure optimum efficiency, accuracy, functionality, reliability and longevity to the sophisticated on-board equipment and systems. The modifications are meant to keep in view the harsh conditions of Indian roads and extreme climates. The sensitive on-board equipment must be protected from rain, humidity, heat, dust, bumps and vibrations. Besides, stable multi voltage electrical power supply must also be ensured. |
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c) Law Enforcement Equipment
The contemporary Interceptor tailored to Indian conditions, requirements and budgets would include:
- Video Camera
- Video Recorder
- Video Monitors
- Vehicle Speed Monitoring and Documentation system
- Breath Alcohol Analyzer
- Pollution Analyzer
- Communications and Telematics Interceptors Philosophy "the philosophy behind the creation"
The Interceptor project is the only example of a scientific instrument of effective traffic management because it deals with all aspects & components of Traffic Management.
1) Educative Enforcement
The Cameras record the driving track or behaviour of the road user with reference to road facilities and /or road deficiencies and traffic regulation applicable.
The erring road users are shown their violations on a replay mode in the Interceptor cabin, thereby educating and warning them of the consequences of such violations.
The most vulnerable road users are the pedestrians & cyclists who are not governed by the traffic laws of the road.
Interceptor crew takes special care in educating these vulnerable road users, who otherwise are not given any credence by the enforcement agencies.
2) Penal Enforcement
Erring motorists are educated & warned by showing them their violations on the camera replay mode and then penalized. Such a process is known as 'direct traffic discipline', which involves:
education, awareness and penalisation where necessary has a long lasting & powerful impact on the erring motorist.
This system of qualitative enforcement also gives a mark of respect to the enforcement agency.
3) Traffic Engineering
The Interceptor cameras capture all the physical features of the road / highways and Street furniture :-
a) Street furniture covers
Traffic Control Devices
i.e. Signals, Signages, Road markings, Channelisation
Road Safety Aids & Miscellaneous Safety Devices
Such as railing barriers, delineators, bollards, reflectors, hazard markers, safety cones.
Traffic calming devices
Such as speed breakers, chicane, roughening of road rumble strips etc.
b) Physical Features of the Road |
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Deficiencies in these parameters which are causative factors in
- Safe & smooth flow of traffic
- Dangerous road situations leading to accidents
- Increase in vehicular pollution
are recorded by the cameramen in the Interceptors and reported to 'CARRS'. The Center for Analysis & Research in Road Safety an integral component of the Interceptor program.
Traffic Engineers working in CARRS analyse the information received, diagnose the problems & suggest cost effective, easy to implement, manageable engineering improvement solutions.
4) Overall formulation of a Road Safe Culture
Interceptor program supports the enforcement agency with technology, qualitatively & systematically, by upgrading the system of scientific application of enforcement and covers more areas with lesser number of staff.
Creation of awareness of road safety as well as instilling fear psychosis in the minds of errant road users can be achieved in exponential progression by the Interceptor project.
Interceptors on National Highways
The virtue of recording and moving gives a unique advantage to the Interceptor to cover the entire spectrum of violations as well as road traffic conditions spread over longer distances.
Interceptors prove to be the most interesting application on National Highways because it would cover all the following parameters.
- Road Safety Audit
- Identifying accident prone locations
- Recording of encroachments
- Educating the road users
- Effective enforcement
Since, its extremely successful introduction in New Delhi,
IRTE's INTERCEPTOR has been introduced in the following states in India
- National Capital Territory of Delhi
- Rajasthan
- Goa
- Andaman
- Haryana
- Uttaranchal
- Andhra Pradesh
- Karnataka
Interceptors are also slated to be launched in the State of Sikkim shortly.
IRTE is extremely grateful to the Ministry of Shipping Road Transport & Highways Government of India for their support and guidance in expanding the Interceptor programme across India. The support of Maruti Udyog Ltd in supporting IRTE in the initial stages of research and development of Interceptors for the NCT Delhi will always be remembered.
IRTE invites State Governments to share this innovative technology in developing their Traffic Police infrastructure. Corporates are also invited to sponsor and support traffic police organizations with Interceptor systems. |
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