Bengaluru: A growing number of commuters have complained that the city’s AI-enabled traffic signals are skipping the amber light and switching directly from green to red, leaving little time for riders to react. The sudden transition has led to multiple near-miss collisions across busy junctions.
Junctions hit by the glitch
The problem has been reported from several prominent intersections, including MG Road, Mysuru Road, Jayanagar, Minerva Circle, Majestic, KR Circle and Kamaraj Road.
Traffic experts note that, under standard rules, the amber (yellow) light should remain on for at least six seconds before turning red. This interval allows commuters to slow down safely and avoid abrupt braking.
Experts blame manual intervention
Former Bengaluru Commissioner of Police Bhaskar Rao said the problem arises when signals are overridden manually.
“If it is AI, why is there manual intervention? When there is higher traffic, the police continuously change from green to red to green to clear congestion, and that is when the problem arises,” he explained.
Some commuters also flagged issues when the signals operate in Vehicle Actuated Control (VAC) mode, which uses cameras to adjust timing based on traffic flow.
Commuter experiences
Ramesh Gowda, an auto driver, said the lack of amber countdown creates confusion.
“Sometimes there is a countdown, but usually there is no indication before turning red. I have had instances where I almost collided with two-wheelers from the other side,” he said.
Other road users echoed similar concerns.
Two-wheeler rider Harshith Jain said he was fined twice for alleged signal jumping.
“The red light changed in a blink of an eye. I had already crossed the line and was stuck in the middle. To avoid blocking traffic, I moved ahead and got fined,” he recounted.
Impact on road safety
The absence of amber has reportedly increased cases of signal jumping violations, as riders and drivers are caught mid-way with no safe option. Many stressed that safety should take precedence over whether signals are AI-driven or manually operated.
Officials respond
A senior traffic department official admitted that the issue exists at some junctions but suggested it was not citywide. However, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy said he had not received any formal complaints so far.
The Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) signals in Bengaluru operate in three modes:
- Manual mode: Police override signal timings directly.
- VAC (Vehicle Actuated Control): Cameras adjust timings based on real-time traffic.
- ATCS mode: Signals are synchronised across multiple junctions for smoother flow.
The road ahead
As Bengaluru’s traffic grows increasingly complex, experts warn that bypassing amber lights could worsen safety hazards for two-wheelers, pedestrians, and motorists alike. Civic activists have urged the traffic police to ensure amber intervals are restored consistently to prevent accidents and unfair penalties.