Traffic signals in Pakistan are pre-timed to alternate between two signals. This arbitrary allocation of intervals does not consider the need of the moment; it is for this reason that at rush hours, traffic wardens are required to regulate traffic flow. The system’s inefficiency has a direct bearing on the violation of traffic rules, and emergency services suffer acutely, with reportedly 20% patients who need immediate assistance expiring on the way.
Instead of revamping the whole traffic system, InLights offers an elegant solution to augment the existing set-up by applying computer vision to monitor and regulate traffic flow intelligently. This entails installing cameras at every junction. The salient features of our system are central control, traffic data collection, prioritisation of emergency services, and pedestrian-friendliness.
Optimised signal intervals are calculated in real-time to reduce waiting time, avoid traffic jams and reduce carbon emissions and wastage of fuel. The system reduces the reliance on wardens to regulate the traffic flow. The current system allows pedestrians to cross the roads at designated times; ‘crosswalk buttons’ allows pedestrians to crossroads with minimum delay.
Apart from the benefits to the public, the system offers a solution conducive to a sustainable future by reducing carbon emissions. The economic benefits from this solution make it particularly lucrative and attractive for administrative and developmental authorities like ‘Capital Development Authority (CDA)’ for Islamabad – our present partners in installing this system at major junctions in Islamabad.
Other solutions for the issue have focused on importing equipment; however, these have not been without problems and operation, and maintenance costs are a constant thorn in the flesh. InLights is a local service provider that has offered an affordable solution with the added advantage of readily catering to any operational or maintenance issues.
With much of R&D already completed, working prototypes have been deployed and demonstrated to CDA at two different sites. Currently, InLights is starting a pilot project with CDA. The project is expected to complete by mid-2023.
Our idea had found traction with FICS (Finding Innovative and Creative Solutions) – NUST’s flagship competition for potential entrepreneurs, and the Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards (GSEA). InLights secured second position at FICS’22 in July 2022 and were GSEA Islamabad semi-finalists in December ’22. InLights has recently graduated from “Hatch 8′ — NSTP’s incubation programme for startups, securing 2nd position in high achieving startups.
Muhammad Ahmad is the founder and CEO of InLights. He is currently enrolled at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He can be reached at ceo@inlights.com.pk.
The author is a senior-year student at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He can be reached at musawwirahmad1@gmail.com.
