GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology
Source: TH
Context: The Kerala government has operationalised 726 artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled surveillance cameras to detect traffic rule violations and road accidents.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, there were over 4.5 lakh road accidents in India in 2019, which resulted in over 1.5 deaths. Kerala was ranked fifth in terms of the total number of road accidents.
About Motor Vehicles Department’s Safe Kerala Project:
It is part of the government’s efforts to reduce the number of road accidents in the state.
The project is being implemented with the help of various technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), to curb traffic rule violations and reduce road accidents.
AI use for Road Safety:
| AI Application | Description |
| Autonomous Vehicles | Self-driving cars that use AI to analyse sensor data and make decisions about acceleration, braking, and steering in real-time, thus reducing the risk of human error causing accidents. |
| Computer Vision | AI algorithms can alert drivers to potential hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. |
| Predictive Analytics | AI algorithms that analyse data on driver behaviour, road conditions, and weather can predict potential hazards and provide warnings or suggestions to drivers. |
| Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | AI can be used to optimize traffic flow, manage congestion, and reduce the risk of accidents. |
| Driver Assistance Systems | AI algorithms that monitor driver behaviour can detect signs of fatigue, distraction, or impaired driving and provide warnings or take control of the vehicle to prevent accidents. |
| Road Condition Monitoring | E.g., the ‘Intelligent Solutions for Road Safety through Technology and Engineering (iRASTE) project at Nagpur will identify potential accident-causing scenarios while driving a vehicle and alert drivers |
Concerns:
AI technology can improve road safety, but concerns need to be addressed. These include privacy violations, accuracy issues, cost, bias, dependence on technology, and a lack of transparency, which could lead to unfair penalties and a lack of human oversight.
Conclusion:
It’s important to address these concerns and ensure that the use of AI for road safety is done in a responsible and ethical manner, with appropriate safeguards in place to protect individuals’ rights and safety.
Insta Links
Mains Links
Discuss the potential use of Artificial intelligence to make Indian Roads safer. (250 Words)
