India has launched its first AI-based Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on the Dwarka Expressway in Delhi, marking a significant move towards integrating artificial intelligence in road safety and urban mobility. The initiative, led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), aims to improve traffic regulation and reduce road fatalities through real-time data processing, automation, and high-end surveillance.
The ATMS system, which has gone live on a 19-kilometer stretch of the Dwarka Expressway, is equipped with over 130 high-resolution cameras, radar units, and sensors. These tools are designed to detect and record up to 14 types of traffic violations, including over-speeding, signal jumping, lane indiscipline, and wrong-side driving. According to NHAI, the new infrastructure will operate 24/7, enabling continuous monitoring and swift response by traffic authorities.
Smarter Roads for Safer Commutes
The ATMS leverages AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze live traffic patterns and issue alerts to a centralized command center. This allows law enforcement and highway officials to intervene promptly during traffic congestion, accidents, or violations. The system also integrates data from emergency call boxes, variable message signs (VMS), and weather monitoring tools to improve overall traffic coordination.
“The use of AI in traffic management is a transformative step towards smart mobility in India. This system not only detects violations but also enables authorities to respond faster and more effectively,” an official from NHAI said.
By digitizing highway enforcement and data collection, the ATMS is expected to contribute to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ broader goal of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Multi-Layered Tech Stack
Developed with collaboration from multiple technology partners, the ATMS uses a multi-layered architecture that combines AI-powered image recognition, radar-based speed detection, and cloud-based analytics. Real-time footage is processed through AI algorithms capable of recognizing vehicles, reading license plates, and flagging irregular driving behaviour.
The system also feeds data into NHAI’s Data Lake—its central digital platform that aggregates traffic, environmental, and vehicular data from across national highways for future planning and predictive maintenance.
Public Awareness and Enforcement
As part of its launch, the ATMS will also be supported by an awareness campaign to educate drivers about the newly implemented enforcement measures. E-challans (digital traffic tickets) will be issued automatically for violations, and violators will receive notifications via SMS or post.
Experts believe that the success of such AI-driven systems will depend not only on the technology’s robustness but also on public acceptance and behaviour change. “Technology alone cannot change road culture; awareness and enforcement must go hand in hand,” said an urban planning analyst familiar with the project.
Laying the Foundation for Smart Mobility
The launch of India’s first AI-enabled traffic system represents a broader shift towards intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the country. With increasing urban congestion and traffic-related fatalities, there is a growing demand for scalable, technology-first solutions to manage road infrastructure.
The Dwarka Expressway, which connects Delhi to Gurugram, has been chosen as a pilot site given its strategic significance and modern design. If the system proves effective, the government may consider expanding it to other expressways and urban roads across the country.
According to NHAI officials, there are ongoing discussions to deploy similar solutions on high-density corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Bengaluru-Chennai corridor.
As India explores more use cases for AI across governance and infrastructure, the successful rollout of ATMS could pave the way for broader applications in urban planning, public transport, and smart city development.