RTOs across state to soon get automated test tracks

Gadkari announces Rs 156 crore for the project, in which CCTVs will assess driving skills.

The state Transport Department will soon install automated driving test tracks (ADTT) at Regional Transport Offices around Maharashtra, starting in Mumbai. On Tuesday, state Transport Minister Anil Parab met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to discuss the issue. Following the meeting, Gadkari announced Rs 156 crore towards the project.

At present there are driving simulators at a few RTOs in the city. At Tardeo RTO, there is a proper 250-metre test track for learners to give their test. The rest of the RTOs in Mumbai conduct driving tests on roads. The automated test measures an applicant’s overall driving skills and is recorded on sensor-based CCTV cameras placed along the track. The tests include reversing a vehicle, driving on hairpin bends, parallel parking, driving on an incline, swerving the vehicle on loops shaped like 8, etc. The track has obstacles, speed breakers, signals, inclines, declines and other problems that a driver encounters on a regular basis. There is no human intervention at any stage of the test, and the licence is issued on the basis of the assessment made by the computer.

Twenty-two such tracks will be set up around the state with the help of the Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune. RTO officials said one track has already been installed in Pune.


“Two proposals were presented to the Union minister during the meeting. One was having automatic driving test simulators; the second one being vehicle inspection and certification centres. Both these have received approval and funds amounting to Rs 296 crore. The money will be disbursed by the Centre,” state Transport Minister Anil Parab told Mumbai Mirror.

Driving schools in the city use simulators as well to train and test drivers. These simulators present virtual obstacles and problems for two- and four-wheel drivers to navigate.

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