Bengaluru: Where pedestrians scurry across roads to save a limb — and even life

The Bengaluru police have implemented the Adaptive Traffic Control System to ensure a smooth flow of vehicular traffic. However, the system seems to have turned a blind eye towards pedestrians.

Pedestrian signal lights in Bengaluru present a curious case. While some walk lights blink for merely a second, a few others give a window of five seconds for pedestrians to cross the crowded roads.

Further investigation revealed that since a majority of Bengalureans use public or private vehicles, the focus has primarily been on smooth vehicular traffic flow.

Recently, the Bengaluru police implemented the Adaptive Traffic Control System (BATCS) to reduce travel time and improve traffic flow at key junctions across the city. Sources told South First that the AI-powered system is part of a broader plan to modernise traffic management in Bengaluru.

But, what about pedestrians? In the rush to make it easier for vehicle users, pedestrians have got the short end of the stick.

According to the Indian Road Congress (IRC) recommendations, pedestrian signal time should be 15-20 seconds, depending on the road’s width.