Tuesday, 16 March 2021

Thank You, Shri Dhakneji,

( Transport commissioner – Maharashtra / avinashdhakne@gmail.com / smccommissioner@yahoo.com )

Context :

Mumbai : Transport Department mulls GPS-based meter for quick re-calibration / FreePressJournal / 16 Mar 2021

The Maharashtra Transport department is looking at bringing GPS-based meters that can be installed in auto-rickshaws and taxis.

This is to ensure that next time e-meters are to be recalibrated; it can be done in a centralised fashion without wasting time, money, and effort.

Currently, the procedure of recalibrating these e-meters is slow-paced and tedious which is causing problems to drivers and passengers.

Sources in the Transport department said that they will examine the feasibility of such GPS-based e-meters and will also have meetings with their manufacturers.

GPS-based meters would get automatically updated like any software from a central place.

Moreover, the RTO authorities claim that they can also come to know if any e-meter can be found tampered with so that they can lock it.

"The option of GPS meters can be explored if found feasible. We will call a meeting with their manufacturers to see if it will work. If the process begins now, we could study it," said Avinash Dhakne Maharashtra Transport Commissioner.

At present, there are issues on the ground faced by drivers who claim to be paying up to Rs 1500 for the recalibration process. This is despite the Transport Department's decision to fix the rate at Rs 700. The unions claim that there has been a low response to auto and taxi meters recalibration due to the high costs involved. These e-metered chips need to be replaced every time there is a change in tariff.

The touts are charging around Rs 250-300 taking the price for recalibration. The Maharashtra government has given time till May 30 to recalibrate e-meters of nearly 2.20 lakh auto rickshaws and 40,000 taxis operating in the city. These autos and taxis will undergo test runs at 13 test tracks across Mumbai suburbs including 5 at Wadala RTO, 5 at Andheri RTO, and 3 at Borivali RTO.

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MY TAKE :

Ø Thanks Shri Dhakneji,

For considering my suggestion in my following e-mail :

Tablets in Taxies ? …………………………………[ 16 May 2016 ]

Where I suggested as follows :

Ø > Expect some Indian Start-Up to come up with a digital taxi meter ( to be

called , DigiMet ? ), resembling a 8" tablet , with a screen on both the sides ,

visible to both , the driver and the passenger

Ø > DigiMet will be integrated with :

* GPS based Google Map

* Mobile App (called, FareCalc ? ) downloaded from the web site of the

Authority fixing " Tariff " ( RTO ? )

Ø > Passengers will also need to download / install, FareCalc app on their smart

phones

Ø > As requested by the passenger, taxi driver will enter the destination

location, in DigiMet

Ø > Immediately, DigiMet will display the following routes to the desired

destination :

* Shortest route ( distance-wise )

* Fastest route ( time wise ) , taking into account the traffic conditions on

different routes

Ø > DigiMet will also display , the amount of " fares " payable for each route (

also displaying tariff : Rs per Km )

Ø > Now it is the passenger's turn to select / choose the route that he wants

the driver to take

The taxi / rickshaw will start only thereafter !

Ø > At the end of the journey , passenger will have the options to pay the fare ,

* In cash

* By entering his Credit Card details into the DigiMet , or

* Through his Mobile Wallet ( using NFC ? )

Ø > The Mobile App will also need to have a provision for any " Waiting Time "

charges to be added

Ø > When the destination is reached, DigiMet will display :

* Distance travelled

* Time taken

* Waiting Time ( if any )

* RTO approved tariff ( Rs per Km )

* Fare amount payable

Ø > Any revision in the tariff will get updated automatically in DigiMet as also

on the smart phone of passenger

Ø > For taxis / rickshaws running on Hybrid fuel ( producing less Co2 ) or

Electric Vehicles ( zero emission ) , both, the driver and the passenger will

get " Carbon Credits ", which will also get displayed on the DigiMet as

also on the FareCalc Mobile App on the smart phone of the passenger ( @

20 % of the fare payable ? ) . This could prove as an INCENTIVE for the

TAXI-RICKSHAW owner, if “ Credits “ accumulated in one year, pays for the

initial Capital Investment of DigiMet ( approx.. Rs 5,000 / - ? )

Ø > These amounts will get transferred to their respective Jan Dhan Bank

Accounts ( thru DTB ) , every quarter

> I suppose some variation of DigiMet / FareCalc can be introduced in all

State Transport buses and intra-city Municipal buses

Dear Shri Dhakneji,

Ø I believe your initiative will be welcomed by the passengers and the Meter Manufacturers

Ø However, expect stiff resistance from Taxi-Rickshaw Owners – who will need some incentive / motivation to replace their existing meters with DigiMet ( subsidy like planned “ Old Vehicle Scrapping Policy “ ? )

Ø If Maharashtra manages to pull this off , it will be copied by all other States

Ø It is, therefore ESSENTIAL that the “ Hardware ( DigiMet Tablet ) “ and the “ Software ( FareCalc mobile app platform ) “, are the SAME for all the States ( a National Public Digital Platform ). A Central Agency should draw-up these SPECIFICATIONS, which all manufacturers / RTOs must accept .

Ø With lakhs of Auto Rickshaws / Taxies , even within Maharashtra, the switch-over may take 2 / 3 years ( partly depending upon the supply from Meter Manufacturers

Ø Auto Companies manufacturing Rickshaws, may be asked to “ factory – install “ DigiMet before sale. This could start from April 2022

With regards,

Hemen Parekh / hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 17 March 2021

===================================================

Ø Congratulations, Avinash Dhakneji ………………………..[ 15 Dec 2020 ]

Ø Making Yourself Obsolete ? ……………………………………..[ 14 Feb 2016 ]

Ø Carbon Finance through Carbon Credits…………………. [ 12 Mar 2021 ]

Ø Internet of Vehicles ( IoV ) ? …………………………………..[ 04 Mar 2017 ]

CC:

Shri Anil Parab [ Transport Minister – Maharashtra / anildattatray@gmail.com ]

Shri Shashank Rao, [ Mumbai Autorickshaw Men's Union / shashank1510@yahoo.co.in ]

Mumbai Grahak Panchayat [ mpanchayat@gmail.com ]

Mr. Ashok Datar, Advisor - Mumbai Parking Authority / datar.ashok@gmail.com

Mumbai Mobility Forum / mumbai-mobility-forum@googlegroups.com

Mr A V Shenoy / shenoyav@gmail.com

All India Motor Transport Congress / aimtc@rediffmail.com / aimtc1936@gmail.com

===================================================

NUMBER OF TAXIS – 2018 ( Thousands ):

Tamil Nadu………….373.52

Karnataka……………245.57

Maharashtra…………237.01

Rajasthan…………….131.91

West Bengal…………127.04

Gujarat………………….115.45

Kerala……………………107.57

Uttar Pradesh…………104.93

Odisha……………………102.8

Telangana………………101.49

Bihar……………………… 91.31

Delhi…………………….. .91.07

Andhra Pradesh……..77.54

Madhya Pradesh…….58.75

Assam……………….. …56.36

Haryana……………… ..52.76

Uttarakhand…………..39.82

Jammu & Kashmir.. 39.14

Himachal Pradesh….34.71

==============================

TOTAL…………………………2188.75 ( = 22 lakh )

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MANUFACTURERS OF TAXI METERS :

Ø Goldtech……………………………………………………………… sales@goldtechscales.com

Ø SANSUI ELECTRONICS (P) LTD…………………………. sales@sansui.co.in / support@sansui.co.in

Ø Precision Electronics Instrument Co

Ø Devishree Mudran (p) Ltd………………………………….. marketing@dolphinscales.com

Ø AL-Hadeed Manufacturing & Trading Pvt

Ø M/s Pulsar Technologies (i) Pvt. Ltd………………..info@pulsartechnologies.in / mrn5608@gmail.com

Ø Super Meter Mfg Co…………………………….info@supermeters.com / rajeshchinta@supermeters.com

Ø National Meter Mfg. Co..................... nationalmeter@gmail.com

Ø JNS Instruments Ltd…………………………….contact@jpmgroup.co.in

Ø Nimit Technologies……………………………..ajitkumar4003@gmail.com

Ø Dialtone Systems…………………………Info@Dialtonesystems.Com / Support@Dialtonesystems.Com

Ø DigiTax…………………………………. support@digitaxindia.com

Ø www.rickshawchallenge.com/about/the-auto-rickshaw / / info@travelscientists.com

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Monday, 15 March 2021

Energy Efficient Construction

Context :

Energy Efficient bricks for govt projects proposed / BL – 12 March 2021

Extract :

Ministry is proposing that all government-funded construction projects use bricks certified as energy efficient, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh said on Friday.

Under a new scheme being implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, fired clay brick manufacturers, who lower energy use during their manufacturing process, will be labelled as ‘ Energy Efficient Enterprises (E3) ’.

“It should take around three years for brick manufacturers to implement these energy efficiency reforms, after which we have proposed that any government-funded project such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana use only E3-certified bricks,” Singh said at the launch event for the scheme.

Singh also said that India will overachieve on the country’s voluntary commitment under the Paris Agreement to raise the share of non-fossil fuel sources in the national electricity generation capacity to 40 per cent.

“Share of non-fossil fuels in our power capacity is already at 38 per cent today. It will reach 60-65 per cent by 2030,” Singh said. “We are the only country who will achieve its pledges under the Paris Agreement.”

===================================================

Dear Shri Hardeep Singh Puriji,

( Minister for Housing )

About 10 weeks ago, I wrote to you :

Congratulations, Shri Hardeep Singh Puriji [ 03 Jan 2021 ]

In addition to the 6 technologies chosen by your Ministry for trial in 6 cities, I urge you to explore Construction Technology reported underneath, which has following advantages :

Ø Energy Efficient

Ø Recycles used Plastics

Ø Speeds up construction

Ø Light Weight

Ø Longer Life

Ø Easy to Transport

Ø Can be printed at site

Ø Lower Cost

==============================================

3D printed plastic beams are stronger than steel

Lightweight 3D-Printed Lego-Like Beams Are Just as Strong as Concrete / Interesting Engineering / 11 Mar

Extract :

Researchers have developed and patented a new 3D-printed beam that assembles in a similar way to lego pieces, and is much less heavy than traditional concrete or metallic beams.

The team from the Universitat Polytècnica de València (UPV) in Spain, explains that its beams use recycled plastic as the raw material, can be printed and assembled in situ thanks to their 3D-printing nature, and weigh up to 80 percent less than regular reinforcement beams.

After three years in the making, all in all, these new beams appear to be more sustainable, lighter, easier to assemble and transport than concrete or metallic beams, which could change the tides in the construction industry.

"It is a very intelligent natural system and its reproduction in these beams awards them, with the low structural weight, very high mechanical capabilities," says José Ramón Albiol, [ joalib1@ csa.upv.es ] one of the researchers of the study.

The main novelty of the beams lies in its polymeric profile, which enables the pieces to be assembled, linked, and concreted wherever needed. There are no metallic components to the beams, which means they don't corrode with time.

Even though the beams' weight isn't as heavy as concrete beams, they still maintain their structural rigidity, explains Albiol.

The way the researchers managed to minimize the weight so drastically was by using an alveolar structure, a natural system that can be found in human bones, and which was the inspiration for the structure.

On top of all that, as they're 3D-printable, the beams are more easily customizable nearer the construction site, which also simplifies transportation and lowers costs.

"To be able to customize the beams in situ makes it possible to adapt the characteristics of each of them to the structural needs at each point of construction," mentions Miguel Sánchez, from the Department of Systems and Computer Science (DISCA) of the UPV.

The team patented its creation in October last year, and it'll be interesting to see how the construction world integrates and welcomes these beams.

===================================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh / hcp@recruitGuru.com / 16 March 2021

Sunday, 14 March 2021

Traffic Offences are a Lesser Priority

Dear Shri Gadkariji,

Saving lives is a greater priority

Here is a sobering statistics :

“ Nearly 44,666 two-wheeler drivers and pillion-riders were killed in road crashes in 2019 for not wearing helmets “

(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/applicants-for-new-driving-licence-must-go-via-video-tutorial/articleshow/81490204.cms )

It is entirely within your power to issue a notification that says :

Ø > From April 2022, all 2-wheelers shall be sold along with a helmet ( compulsory

accessory )

Ø > Both, the 2-wheeler and the helmet shall have embedded SENSORS, which

are internet connected [ IoT ]

Ø > A 2-wheeler ( whether Electric or ICE ) will not start unless the driver is

wearing that helmet , enabling both the sensors to link-up / get paired /

communicate / transfer data ( to traffic police dept server , transmitting

Vehicle registration number and driver license number )

Ø > It will also not start if,

# Driver is drunk ( alcohol analyzing sensor )

# Laden weight exceeds 150 Kg ( weight sensor )

In the age of Level 5 Autonomous Self Driving cars, implementing what I just described, is not a Rocket Science

Nor will its implementation push up the 2-wheeler selling price by more than Rs 1000 ( less than 1 % )

But, my suggestion has the potential to save some 40,000 lives each year !

I urge you to use your authority for a noble / humanitarian cause

With regards,

Hemen Parekh / hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 15 March 2021

===================================================

Context :

Install Electronic devices to curb Traffic offences: Road Ministry / Business Line / 27 Feb 2021

Extract :

Ø In a move to :

> curb corruption and bad behaviour by any of the stakeholders in case of skirmishes between a law enforcer and a road user and to

Ø > increase road safety, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry has published

draft rules for electronic devices to be used by traffic rule enforcement officers.

The electronic devices can be :

Ø speed camera,

Ø closed-circuit television camera,

Ø speed gun,

Ø body wearable camera,

Ø dashboard camera,

Ø Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) bridges or any other technology.

Also, the devices have to be certified every year, to ensure their accuracy, as per the draft notification.

Moreover, the officials must notify to the offender that he is being recorded by the camera.

Also, the notification asks State governments to put warning signs before the stretches monitored by electronic enforcement devices, notifying the public that such devices are in use

“Body wearable cameras shall be explicitly used by the law enforcement officers, such as police and transport officials while managing the traffic or carrying out any enforcement drive which can be used in the court as an evidence against the offending driver or person and also ensure that the law enforcement official has acted as per the provisions of law while penalising the offending driver or person.

Both the video and audio functions of the body camera shall be activated only when the law enforcement official is on duty and the official must notify the subjects that they are being recorded by the body camera,” the Road Ministry has said in its draft notification.

State governments shall ensure that appropriate electronic enforcement devices are placed at high-risk and high-density corridors on National and State Highways, and at critical junctions in State capitals and cities with more than 1 million population, added the notification.

The electronic enforcement device used for issuance of a challan shall have an approval certificate signed by a police officer or designated authority certifying that the device is accurate, said the draft adding the approval certificate must be renewed on a yearly basis.

The electronic record collected by way of electronic monitoring should be stored for a minimum period of 30 days, and in the case where the electronic record relates to an offence, should be stored till the conclusion of proceedings initiated, including appeals.

===================================================

Context :

Starting April, all cars must have airbags for front passenger seat, says Centre / Scroll / 06 March 2021

Extract :

The Centre on Friday made it mandatory for all new cars to have airbags for front passenger seat in steps to improve safety in case of road accidents. Airbags for drivers was made mandatory in all cars since July 1, 2019.

Ø The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a gazette notification announced the rule that will require all new vehicles manufactured on and after April 1 to have dual front airbags as standard fitment.

Ø Existing vehicles, on the other hand, will be required to be sold with dual airbags from August 31, the ministry said.

=====================================================

MY TAKE :

Ø Airbags

- are solely aimed at SAFETY of passengers – and are INTEGRAL to a car body

as against this,

Ø Speed camera, closed-circuit television camera, speed gun, body wearable camera

- are aimed at “ curb corruption and bad behaviour “ of the drivers – and installed on roads or carried on the person of the Traffic Police

Both of these approaches / methods are fairly prevalent in most of the developed countries . Tried and tested .

But, here is the MAJOR DIFFERENCE

[ A ] … AIRBAGS

Upon an accident, an AIRBAG acts instantly / fast / on its own, without waiting for “ NOTIFYING “ anyone !

It does not even wait for the vehicle driver to get activated / deployed !

Its sole “ reason for existence “ is SAVE the passengers NOW .

[ B ] … EXTERNAL DEVICES

Require annual certification by TESTING AGENCIES and notifying rash drivers

QUESTION :

Can BAD BEHAVIOUR of drivers be controlled ( even prevented ) by mandating ( as done in case of Airbags ) , that the vehicle manufacturers pre-install following SENSORS in the vehicles , by 01 April 2022 ?

# Engine ( or Electric Motor ) temperature

# Pressures / Displacements / Compression Ratios in case of petrol / diesel

Vehicles / Battery Charge Levels / fuel consumption

# Emission Levels ( PM2.5 / CO2 etc ) in petrol / diesel vehicles

# Tyre pressures / wear and tear of moving parts / RPM

# Vehicle speed / acceleration / braking distance

# Proximity to other moving / stationary vehicles or objects

# Weather conditions / Visibility levels / Traffic Density

# Condition of the road being traversed ( co-efficient of friction )

# Condition of the person driving ( sleepy / drunk etc )

# Whatever else you want “ measured / monitored / relayed “

[ source : Internet of Vehicles ( IoV ) ? / 04 Mar 2017 ]

I am glad Delhi NCT is about to finalize guidelines for “ Traffic Violation Premium “ , as reported in :

A Premium for Good Road Behaviour ?

Extract :

Imagine a CIBIL score for motor insurance. Instead of your debt repayment records, you’ll be rated on your road behaviour – sticking to speed norms or parking in designated zones, for instance.

On paper, that sounds reasonable. In practice, that might do more harm than good to millions of Indian private vehicle owners, and end up favouring the insurers in an unequal game.

The US, Canada, the UK, France and Australia have similar systems and ALGORITHMS in place to link motor premiums, based on traffic violation status. However this is based on a TECH INFRASTRUCTURE that binds an integrated database with social security and DRIVING LICENSES of VEHICLE OWNERS

===================================================

Ø Young : and dying on roads ………………………………[ 13 Feb 2021 ]

2020 ( 2 )

Ø Congratulations , Shri P K Purwarji …………………. [ 21 Dec 2020 ]

Ø Congratulations, Avinash Dhakneji ……………………[ 15 Dec 2020 ]

2018 ( 7 )

Ø Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ? ………..[ 20 Nov 2018 ]

Ø Crossing the Seven Seas ………………………………….[ 10 Sept 2018 ]

Ø #ISRO #NaviC #India #TransportRevolution…..[ 13 Apr 2018 ]

Ø Immobilize the Jumpers ? …………………………………[ 14 Mar 2018 ]

Ø To Curb speeding : Immobilize those Cars ………[ 11 Feb 2018 ]

Ø Immobilize the Jumpers ?............................. [ 14 Mar 2018 ]

Ø To Curb speeding : Immobilize those Cars ……..[ 11 Feb 2018 ]

2017 ( 12 )

Ø This will take Ages ! ………………………………………….[ 12 Dec 2017 ]

Ø #UrbanTransport #FasTag #Pollution ……………..[ 14 Nov 2017 ]

Ø Intelligent Transport System ……………………….....[ 07 Oct 2017 ]

Ø Smart Cars, Safe Cars , Social Cars ? …………....[ 31 Aug 2017 ]

Ø Linking PUC with Insurance ? …………………………..[ 15 Aug 2017 ]

Ø Look Beyond Liquor Ban …………………………………..[ 03 Aug 2017 ]

Ø Can Technology Out-Smart the Traffic Offenders ? [ 16 July 2017 ]

Ø Revolutionizing Transport ? ……………………………..[ 14 July 2017 ]

Ø Urban Transport Policy ……………………………………..[ 09 July 2017 ]

Ø Do Not Drink and Drive …………………………………..[ 05 Apr 2017 ]

Ø Shri Raoteji has a Vision …………………………………[ 23 Mar 2017 ]

Ø Internet of Vehicles ( IoV ) ? …………………….. [ 04 Mar 2017 ]

2016 ( 4 )

Ø Let us Leapfrog the World ! ……………………………[ 27 Nov 2016 ]

Ø HORN OK ? ……………………………………………………..[ 22 Aug 2016 ]

Ø Tablets in Taxies ? ………………………………………….[ 16 May 2016 ]

Ø BRAVO , GADKARI-JI ! ……………………………………[ 16 Feb 2016 ]

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