Solar signals to direct Delhi Traffic.

New Delhi: The Capital is now looking at installing solar-powered traffic signals at major intersections in the city. With this, traffic jams caused by signals rendered non-functional due to power failure or heavy rain may soon become a thing of the past. The traffic police is also installing invertors for back-up at major points.

The technology is expensive — the main reason why the traffic police has stayed away from it — and also high on maintenance. Apart from the usual checking of bulbs and wires, the solar panel put up on every signal also needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. But, the signals are not dependent on power supply and will ensure that traffic movement doesn’t get affected by power cuts.

Experts feel that a futuristic technology, solarisation, is an efficient means, provided the power is efficiently stored. The traffic police will need to ensure that signals are operational at night too, and this can only be done if the power absorbed during the day is stored. Solar powered signals are more energy efficient. So, the operational costs will be lower.

Once the technology is tested, the signals will be introduced at all the 702 signalised intersections in the city in a phased manner. The traffic police is, reportedly, in talks with a Bangalore-based firm for the same, but a final decision is still awaited.

The signals are made of maintenance-free LEDs, which offer clear visibility even during adverse weather conditions. They are eco-friendly and consume very little power, fitted with countdown timers to save fuel and reduce pollution levels. They also have vehicle actuated traffic controllers for better efficiency.

The first lot of solar signals were installed in the Capital a decade ago in 1998, at three intersections — Chandgiram Akhara crossing in north Delhi, Moolchand crossing in south Delhi and IGI crossing near the airport. These signals were later also tried out on National Highway-8 by the traffic police. Of all these, only one solar powered signal — at Chandgiram Akhara — is still functional.

GREEN LIGHTS ON DELHI ROADS

No of signalised intersections - 702

No of more signals to be added | About 25

No of solar signals in city - 1 (3 istalled)