Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says GPS and CCTV systems using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology will be introduced to long-distance buses to prevent road accidents in Sri Lanka.
Addressing the media, Minister Rathnayake said the AI system will be introduced to both the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private long-distance buses soon.
He said this system will also help observe the activities of the bus driver, whether he is tired, sleepy, or making telephone calls while driving.
“Drivers face various issues such as mechanical, road conditions, and lighting issues on a bus journey. However, the driver’s activities must also be monitored. Such a system is available overseas, where CCTV and GPS systems using AI technology are installed in the bus. This helps to check if the driver is sleepy, tired, or using their mobile phone. We have proposed to introduce this system to buses in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that the CCTV and GPS systems using AI technology will be installed in SLTB and private long-distance buses, and will be granted along with the route permit.
The Transport Minister further revealed that this AI system will be introduced to lorries or containers operated by public and private companies, and trains, in the future.
He also said that a system will be introduced where all long-distance buses will be required to undergo a full inspection prior to commencing the journey.
“It has been proposed that the buses will be required to carry the ER1 Certificate, after undergoing a full inspection a few hours prior to commencing the long-distance journey. We intend to introduce inspection of all long-distance buses at all bus depots under the SLTB. We have instructed the relevant state institutions to recruit necessary employees for this purpose,” he added.
Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake made the remarks while addressing the media on the measures that have been proposed to prevent bus accidents in Sri Lanka.
His comments come after the recent bus accident in Kotmale, where 23 passengers were killed, considered Sri Lanka’s worst bus crash in two decades. (Newswire)