Telangana to have 21 AI based test tracks to remove errors in issuing driving licenses

Hyderabad: To prevent errors and irregularities in the issuance of permanent driver licenses, the State Transport Department is gearing up to establish as many as 21 Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTT) across Telangana where AI will determine the eligibility to issue licenses.

According to transport officials, in the first phase, ADTTs are scheduled to come up at Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Khammam, Nalgonda, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool and Jogulamba Gadwal districts along with Kondapur, Medchal, Ibrahimpatnam, Uppal, Parigi, Malakpet, Nagole, Zaheerabad and Pebbair.

Bad drivers getting licenses results in accidents

Over the years, those who do not know the rules of the road or how to drive vehicles have been obtaining a driver’s license through various sources including middlemen resulting in their involvement in road mishaps.

Taking serious cognisance of the matter, the transport department has decided to establish ADTT across the State giving no room for errors or irregularities during the issuance of driver’s licenses to individuals.

Currently, driver’s licenses are issued manually throughout the State. Motor vehicle inspectors play a vital role in this by monitoring whether the examinee is doing things correctly and granting or rejecting the examinee’s license based on the inspector’s opinion.

With the automation of tracks, AI will decide the license seeker’s pass/fail status and the driving tests with little assistance from humans.

AI-enabled cameras to assess driving abilities

Motorists taking the driving test will be watched using cameras installed on the circuits.

The sensors and AI-enabled cameras would assess the permit seeker’s driving abilities and determine their suitability based on precise calculations. Every detail is recorded, such as whether the test was completed within the allotted time, halted at the red light or passed through.

Facial recognition will identify right applicant

Whether the vehicle is driven properly or not on the course is also accurately documented using technology. The facial recognition system will also determine if the applicant has taken the driving test or not. The sensor-based system would identify even the smallest inaccuracies, resulting in automatic disqualification, in contrast to the past when small mistakes were frequently ignored.

Speaking to NewsMeter, a senior official from the transport department, on condition of anonymity, said that Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar during a recent review meeting with the officials underscored the need to reduce road accidents by ensuring that only qualified drivers receive driving licences in the state. He suggested the officials establish ADTTs in the state to judge the driving ability of DL applicants with the use of technology.

3-4 acres estimated to establish ADTTs

The official said that based on the outcome the ADTTs would be established in other parts of the State. Each track is expected to take up 3 to 4 acres of land to build. After acquiring the land, tenders would be invited by the department. Automated tracks are already functioning in Delhi, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and other states.

“A sophisticated system is being used to award heavy driving permits for two, three and four-wheelers in the appropriate states. If all goes according to plan, driving permits with modern technology will be distributed in Telangana in another year,” the official said.