Electronics City RTO to get test track equipped with RFID technology

Getting a driving licence will get tougher in the coming days with the RTO employing latest technology to make sure that a candidate’s riding and driving skills are flawless before clearing him.

Work on the new test tracks at Huskur APMC Market off Electronics City Phase 2 is nearing completion. The Electronics City RTO will have first such testing tracks equipped with wireless technology.

Senior officials in the Regional Transport Office said the facility will be inaugurated in June. “We are planning similar test tracks in Mangaluru, Belagavi, Hosapete, Gadag, Ballari, Chikkodi and Udupi. In the coming years, the technology will be employed in all the testing facilities,” the official said.

“The Radio Frequency Identification technology and CCTV surveillance help us to ensure a candidate rides flawlessly before getting his driving licence (DL),” said J Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Transport.

The new facility has separate tracks for two-wheelers, cars and heavy transport vehicles. The senior officer said the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has plans to open the new facility in June.

An aspirant for two-wheeler driving licence will be given a RFID card which he will show to the sensor before entering the testing track. A foot mat sensor tracks how many times the driver puts his leg down while negotiating the curves. The candidate should emerge out of the track within 60 seconds without disturbing more than eight poles planted on the side of the track.

“Similar rules apply for car and heavy vehicle driving test. This will put an end to any possible irregularity in tests while putting equal responsibility on drivers to show to come prepared,” an RTO official said.

The new track will be used by RTOs in Electronics City and Koramangala. “There are plans to hold tests for applicants at Jayanagar RTO at the new track. A decision will be taken soon,” another official said.