New app to make way for ambulance in Bengaluru traffic

By Atiya Firdos

Synced with GPS, E-Path will alert Traffic Control Room to monitor vehicle’s real-time location and ensure clear path

Bengaluru’s infamous traffic snarls, which often cause delays in emergency services, are soon expected to see a positive shift with the introduction of a new app aimed at aiding ambulance movement. The city’s Traffic Police is set to launch ‘E-Path,’ an innovative app designed to guide ambulances through traffic-free routes and ensure signal clearance during emergencies. The app is expected to go live by the end of this month.

Addressing the media, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), MN Anucheth, emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating that the app would play an important role in saving lives by reducing response times for ambulances stuck in traffic. “The trials for the E-Path app have been conducted successfully, and we are confident that by the end of the month, the app will be fully operational,” said Anucheth.

How E-Path works

Once launched, E-Path will allow ambulances to update their status on the app during emergencies. The app, synced with GPS, will alert the Traffic Control Room, where officers will monitor the vehicle’s real-time location. The app’s functionality goes beyond simple route optimisation. As soon as an ambulance updates its status, notifications will be sent to traffic personnel to clear the necessary roads ahead.

Based on the GPS coordinates, traffic police will take steps to ensure a clear route for the ambulance. Traffic signals along the route will also be updated to give priority to the ambulance, ensuring minimal disruptions. This system will effectively minimise delays caused by traffic congestion and ensure a smooth passage for emergency vehicles.

Potential impact on ambulance services

In a city where gridlock can last hours, and every second counts for patients in critical conditions, this app comes as a promising solution. The app is expected to alleviate the frustration faced by ambulance drivers and paramedics who struggle to navigate through dense traffic during emergencies.

Moreover, it will also reduce stress on the families of patients, knowing that help will arrive swiftly without being hindered by traffic chaos.

“Cases like head trauma, heart attacks, and accidents are given top priority. The movement of these priority ambulances is tracked by the traffic control room, ensuring they receive clear passage,” said Anucheth, while addressing the media. According to sources, the police have already tested the app in coordination with ambulance drivers, and it has been decided to implement it by the end of this month.

The Joint Commissioner also held a meeting with ambulance fleet operators on Friday, urging them to utilise the E-Path app for priority signalling and signal clearance for emergency ambulances.

Bengaluru has consistently ranked as one of the most congested cities, and the traffic bottlenecks have had a direct impact on emergency response times. Ambulances, despite using sirens, often find it difficult to cut through long queues of vehicles during peak hours. With this app, the Bengaluru Traffic Police aims to significantly reduce the delay caused by such situations.