Commuters in India’s tech capital, Bengaluru, are getting a much-needed smart upgrade to their daily drive, as MapmyIndia’s navigation app, Mappls, rolls out the country’s first live Traffic Signal Countdown feature.
In a pioneering collaboration with the Bengaluru City Traffic Police and technology partner Arcadis India, the Mappls app is now integrating with the city’s smart traffic infrastructure to display real-time signal timers directly on the navigation screen.
The new feature covers over 169 junctions equipped with Vehicle Actuated Control (VAC) signals across Bengaluru. As drivers approach a supported signal, the Mappls app will mirror the actual red, amber, and green countdown, showing exactly how many seconds are left until the light changes.
Rohan Verma, Director of MapmyIndia, hailed the launch as a “Magical and helpful” moment, noting that the ability to see the countdown even from a distance can significantly reduce driver anxiety and improve road discipline. The feature helps drivers:
- Anticipate Delays: Commuters can now see the exact waiting time, allowing for better route planning and decision-making far in advance.
- Reduce Stress: Knowing the exact time left eliminates the unpredictability of traffic signals, a frequent source of frustration for drivers.
- Improve Traffic Flow: Better-informed drivers can lead to smoother stops and starts, potentially reducing unnecessary honking and fuel consumption.
“This is an India first,” Verma stated, emphasizing the nation’s push for indigenous tech solutions. The Bengaluru Traffic Police noted that the project is a major step forward in leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance traffic management and make the city’s systems smarter and more citizen-friendly.
While the feature is currently a pilot in Bengaluru, Mappls has indicated that it is ready to integrate this technology across other Indian cities, pending collaboration with local traffic authorities.
