DTC to deploy AI system for real-time tracking of 6,000+ buses, predict delays and improve services

Delhi’s public bus network is set for a technology upgrade, with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) planning to introduce an AI-enabled Bus Management System (BMS) to track more than 6,000 buses, their routes, drivers, trips and electric-bus charging cycles in real time, The Times of India (TOI) reported.

The system is being planned to improve services for nearly 40 lakh daily passengers by monitoring bus movement, speed, trip duration and operational performance. It will also generate alerts for overspeeding, GPS failures, route deviations, bus bunching, breakdowns, accidents and panic-button activation.

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DTC has invited bids to develop, implement, operate and maintain the platform. The system will cover both existing and future electric and CNG buses and integrate data from buses, depots, terminals, command-and-control centres and concessionaires.

The proposed platform will receive real-time GPS feeds along with vehicle data such as battery charge levels and odometer readings. It will also use charging information and inputs from onboard Intelligent Transport System (ITS) equipment, including CCTV cameras, panic buttons and two-way communication systems.

Better tracking, scheduling and passenger information

The system will be used to predict bus arrival times and delays, optimise routes and schedules, improve crew deployment and allocate buses based on operational needs, officials said.

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"For passengers, one of the visible changes could be more accurate information about when a bus will arrive. The system will analyse traffic and historical operating patterns to generate estimated arrival times and identify delays. It will also detect route deviations, trips that do not begin from the designated origin, missed stops and buses leaving depots early," an official said.

The BMS will also analyse passenger boarding and alighting data, route-wise passenger loads and peak-hour demand. This will help identify overcrowded routes and areas that may need additional services. Data from festivals and major events will be used to forecast temporary increases in demand.

Focus on electric bus operations

With electric buses making up most of DTC’s fleet, the system will also monitor charging operations and help optimise energy use and fleet utilisation. It will use the data to predict battery degradation and maintenance requirements.

DTC currently operates 6,269 buses across 52 depots. Of these, 4,519 are electric buses, while 1,750 run on CNG and other fuels.

The BMS will serve as a central source of bus-related information and provide real-time service updates to platforms including Delhi Transport Stack, One Delhi and ONDC.

"It will also have to be scalable, secure and capable of integrating future buses, applications and transport technologies," an official said.

(With inputs from TOI)