Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The ambulance services which operate work day and night often get stuck in traffic jams, putting the lives of patients at risk.
To set this right, three students of Rajalakshmi Engineering College in Kancheepuram district – Krithika, Jayashree and Kavitha – pursuing the final-year Computer Science Engineering course have designed a project. The technology used in the college project will help ensure ambulances moving towards a red traffic signal will have a seamless commute without having to be stuck in traffic bottlenecks.
As per the technology design in the project, when an ambulance is 120 metres away from the traffic signal, a sensor mounted the vehicle will send out a signal, triggering an instant change from red to green.
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At the same time, all other signals ahead in the vicinity will be changed into red so that the moving ambulance will have a hassle-free journey forward.
The moment the sensor-mounted ambulance passes the traffic island, the functioning of all signals will be restored.
To facilitate this transition, the signals will be fixed with sensors. It is to be noted that the sound sensors and relevant devices of technology used by the students are available at cost-effective prices. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the gadgets used for ensuring smooth travel of ambulance 108 are based on the principles of IoT (Internet of Things).
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Rita, an Assistant professor in the college, who guided the students in the project, said the equipment used for the project were not expensive. "They would not entail a waste of time and unnecessary delay. The only essential requirement of the project is that all traffic signals must be fitted with the relevant sensors," she added.
The students’ project was published in an international engineering and technology journal in February 2020.
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According to data available, 1.5 lakh accidents happen on highways annually. In fact, 30% of road fatalities can be averted if there is a provision that enables ambulance 108 to reach the
spot in time. The students’ project will go a long way in setting right the deplorable situation, said Rita, exuding hope.
