What it means
An ATMS on a highway usually includes incident detection cameras, speed enforcement, traffic counting and classification, ANPR, variable message signs, emergency call boxes and a command and control centre. The cameras send events and video over optical fibre to the centre, where operators confirm incidents and dispatch help.
How it applies in India
On national highways, ATMS follows NHAI's ATMS Standards and Specifications 2023, announced on 17 October 2023. NHAI's release says the standards replace VIDS cameras with the Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (VIDES), which can identify 14 incidents, including triple riding, helmet and seatbelt violations, wrong lane or direction driving, animals on the highway and pedestrian crossings. VIDES cameras are planned every 10 km, with command and control centres every 100 km. VSDS is integrated into VIDES, and the Traffic Monitoring Camera System (TMCS) cameras sit every 1 km. Equipment communicates over optical fibre, with provision for 5G later, and traffic police get dedicated workstations in the command centre.