VMS boards to give traffic real-time data malfunction

Not working in all the 20 junctions in the city

The Variable Message Signboard (VMS), which the traffic police have installed across the city under the B-Track project, has malfunctioned, commuters have complained.

A live traffic update system, VMS supplies real-time data on journey time, distances, traffic density, alternative routes, weather condition and emergency information. Most of the VMS boards are used only for traffic awareness.

Traffic police sources said 20 boards were installed in 2010 under the B-Track project. "The boards should be updated by the traffic management centre," a senior traffic police official said.

"It is supposed to give updates on traffic diversion on account of calamities like floods and waterlogging and toppling of trees and electrical polls. It was also supposed to inform about diversions due to human activities like strikes, roadblocks, agitations and road incidents like accidents," the official said.

When DH visited the giant VMS board installed at Vakil Square (opposite Jayadeva Hospital) on Bannerghatta Road, the display board was not working. Things are not too different in other places where the boards were installed.

Prasad, a motorist, said: "They aren't working for many months. They display safety messages like 'Do Not Drink and Drive' and 'Wear Your Seat Belt', among others."

A field traffic police official said the VMS boards will be removed due to the metro work. The police said if other agencies remove the boards, they should re-install it after the work is completed.

The concept of VMS boards is catching up in other cities like Mysuru and Mangaluru even as they gear up to become smart cities.

Variable message signboards

1) Hebbal Road - Towards Bengaluru City

2) Hebbal Road - Towards Bengaluru International Airport

3) RRMR Road (Sri Kanteerava Stadium)

4) Krishnarajapuram (Karnataka State Electricity Board)

5) Minerva Circle

6) K.G Road (Cauvery Bhavan)

7) Residency Road

8) Victoria Road

9) Basaveshwara Circle - Race Course Road

10)Indiranagar (100 Feet Road)

11) Mysore Road, west of Jnanabharati crossing

12) Magadi Road

13) Kundalahalli Gate

14)Vakil Square (Opp Jayadeva Hospital)

15) J D Mara (Opp Shoppers Stop)

16) Seshadri Road - Opp Freedom Park

17) Konanakunte

18) DELL - Koramangala Inner Ring Road

19) Rajajinagar

20) Town Hall (Opp Ravindra Kalakshetra)