ASTraM app to give live traffic updates in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: City commuters will soon identify paid parking and live traffic through the ASTraM Citizen app. The Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management (ASTraM) platform, until now used internally by police, will shortly be available to the public.The police have already been leveraging the ASTraM (Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management) platform internally to monitor and regulate traffic flow, reducing congestion across key junctions. Until now, the application has been accessible only to officials. With the upcoming citizen version, commuters will soon be able to access real-time traffic intelligence on their smartphones."Following the launch of the ASTraM Citizen application, the waiting time for commuters at traffic junctions will significantly come down as they can track the traffic congestion on a real-time basis at traffic junctions and avoid those junctions with severe congestion and plan their travelling using alternative routes, allowing them to reach their destinations quickly within the city," ACP (I Traffic) Ramachandra Rao said. The app's core objective is to give users live updates on traffic density across city roads, while also mapping free and paid parking spaces — a major concern for two-wheeler and four-wheeler users.A notable feature of the app is its ability to inform users about the reasons behind heavy traffic congestion, enabling them to make informed decisions and opt for alternative routes.Further enhancing its utility, the app will include a "Green Channel" feature aimed at facilitating emergency services. In case an ambulance is stuck in traffic, users can raise a request through the app, alerting others on the route to clear the way and ensure swift passage.