Maruti Suzuki sets up automated driving test centres at four New Delhi RTOs

In collaboration with the country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, the Transport Ministry of the Delhi Government, is creating a new, technically sound infrastructure for enhancing its current process of driver evaluation before allocating a driving license.

While the minister of transport, Kailash Gahlot today inaugurated a state-of-the-art fully automated driving test centre (ADTC) at its regional transport office (RTO) in Mayur Vihar, in the Eastern part of the city, there was a simultaneous operational launch at three more RTOs including those at Sarai Kale Khan, Shakur Basti and Vishwas Nagar.

Leveraging technology
The fully automated driving test facilities use access control along with biometric and an RFID recognition system. Access control will permit entry of applicants only at the pre-assigned time slots that can be booked online, thus making it efficient and convenient.

The new ADTCs have been equipped with scientifically designed test tracks for both two- and four-wheelers including multiple critical formations such as ‘reverse S’, ‘8’, roundabout maneuvering, hill climb as well as an 'H’ formation, which, however, is still not mandatory in the CMVR guidelines for four-wheelers.

Two-wheeler license applicants will have to ride around a serpentine track to showcase their maneuvering skills. They will also be tested for emergency braking skills and skills to ride on a straight ramp, both introduced for the first time.

High-definition cameras positioned at multiple locations within the track will allow for real-time monitoring of the driver, and as a result, help evaluate applicants against a total of 20 essential driving skills. With boom barriers installed before every higher level, a driver who fails mid-way, will be prompted to exit through a special passage made on each track so that it improves the track's utilisation and also saves time.

Disqualified applicants will need to get a fresh appointment and come prepared after honing the skills even further.

Maruti Suzuki, which has installed the entire setup, has also committed to maintain the facility for the upcoming three years. The company has allocated a total of Rs 20 crore from its CSR funds and is working towards establishing the infrastructure at eight more RTOs in the city at - Lado Sarai, Raja Garden, Hari Nagar, Burari, Loni, Rohini, Jharoda Kalan and Dwarka - six of which are underway and will be ready by May end.
According to Ajay Kumar Tomer, executive director (Corporate Planning), Maruti Suzuki India, “Road Safety is an important CSR intervention for Maruti Suzuki. We have been working in this area for over a decade through multiple interventions for improving road safety scenario in the country. Delhi Government’s decision to adopt advanced technology to issue driving licenses is an important step towards road safety.”

“The use of high resolution cameras, real-time video, instant results, online registration, all together make the entire process much more convenient and efficient. These also help to get accurate and consistent results,” he added.
Maruti Suzuki, which also partnered the Delhi Police by launching a completely automated traffic safety management system (TSMS), aims to learn the nuances from these projects and monitor their acceptability before considering such initiatives in other states in the country.