Anyone who has driven on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway during the evening rush knows the feeling. You cruise along at highway speeds, only to slam the brakes near Akshardham as traffic suddenly grinds to a halt.Now, researchers believe the answer may not be building more lanes. It may simply be asking drivers to slow down earlier.Beginning around August 15, an 8.7-km stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway between Sarai Kale Khan and the Uttar Pradesh border is set to become India's first real-world test of Variable Speed Limits (VSL), a traffic management system already used in countries such as the US, UK and Germany.<h2>Variable Speed Limits: How slowing down could actually make you reach faster</h2>The idea may sound counterintuitive. Instead of letting vehicles race toward a bottleneck before everyone brakes simultaneously, electronic signboards will lower speed limits in advance when traffic starts building up. The objective is to keep vehicles moving at a steady pace and prevent the stop-and-go waves that create traffic jams.Think of thousands of people trying to leave a packed stadium. If everyone rushes to the exit together, movement slows dramatically. But if the crowd is staggered before reaching the gates, everyone gets out more smoothly. Researchers say traffic can behave much the same way.<h2>India's first variable speed limit trial</h2>The pilot is being carried out by Prof. Satish Chandra of IIT Roorkee and Dr Chalumuri Ravi Sekhar, Director of CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), with funding from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.Unlike conventional speed limit boards, the new electronic displays will be linked to traffic sensors and cameras. Instead of displaying one fixed limit throughout the day, they will automatically adjust permissible speeds depending on traffic conditions.Currently, cars on this stretch face a fixed speed limit of 70 kmph, while heavy vehicles are restricted to 50 kmph, regardless of traffic.<ul><li>Under the pilot, recommended speeds will change during the day:</li><li>12 am to 7 am: 65 kmph for cars, 50 kmph for heavy vehicles</li><li>7 am to 5 pm: 55 kmph for cars, 45 kmph for heavy vehicles</li><li>5 pm to 12 am: 60 kmph for cars, 40 kmph for heavy vehicles</li></ul><h2>Built on real traffic data</h2>The proposal is based on an analysis of 72 hours of traffic footage collected near Akshardham Plaza in July 2024.Researchers found that cars account for over 80 per cent of traffic on the corridor, while heavy vehicles contribute between 4 and 12 per cent.Traffic rises steadily through the day before peaking during the evening office rush, when the expressway frequently slips into stop-and-go congestion.Using internationally accepted traffic engineering methods, the team also calculated the speeds at which most motorists naturally travel during congestion, helping design the dynamic limits.<h2>Can you get Challans during the trial?</h2>Electronic VSL boards will be installed near the Akshardham interchange in both directions.To ensure drivers follow the displayed speeds, Delhi Traffic Police has been asked to enforce the changing limits through challans (traffic tickets) during the pilot.Researchers will evaluate the system after 30, 90 and 120 days, comparing traffic flow, congestion levels, speed variations and driver compliance.<h2>Could this change how Indian expressways are managed?</h2>If the pilot succeeds, variable speed limits could be introduced on other expressways across the country.Rather than relying only on expensive road widening projects, dynamic speed management could offer a cheaper way to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety, while helping shape national guidelines for the technology's wider rollout.

What if the fastest way through Delhi traffic was to drive slower? That's the question behind a first-of-its-kind experiment on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, where changing speed limits could transform the daily commute.

Anyone who has driven on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway during the evening rush knows the feeling. You cruise along at highway speeds, only to slam the brakes near Akshardham as traffic suddenly grinds to a halt. Now, researchers believe the answer may not be building more lanes. It may simply be asking drivers to slow down earlier. Beginning around August 15, an 8.7-km stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway between Sarai Kale Khan and the Uttar Pradesh border is set to become India's first real-world test of Variable Speed Limits (VSL), a traffic management system already used in countries such as the US, UK and Germany. Variable Speed Limits: How slowing down could actually make you reach faster The idea may sound counterintuitive. Instead of letting vehicles race toward a bottleneck before everyone brakes simultaneously, electronic signboards will lower speed limits in advance when traffic starts building up. The objective is to keep vehicles moving at a steady pace and prevent the stop-and-go waves that create traffic jams. Think of thousands of people trying to leave a packed stadium. If everyone rushes to the exit together, movement slows dramatically. But if the crowd is staggered before reaching the gates, everyone gets out more smoothly. Researchers say traffic can behave much the same way. India's first variable speed limit trial The pilot is being carried out by Prof. Satish Chandra of IIT Roorkee and Dr Chalumuri Ravi Sekhar, Director of CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), with funding from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Unlike conventional speed limit boards, the new electronic displays will be linked to traffic sensors and cameras. Instead of displaying one fixed limit throughout the day, they will automatically adjust permissible speeds depending on traffic conditions. Currently, cars on this stretch face a fixed speed limit of 70 kmph, while heavy vehicles are restricted to 50 kmph, regardless of traffic. Under the pilot, recommended speeds will change during the day: 12 am to 7 am: 65 kmph for cars, 50 kmph for heavy vehicles 7 am to 5 pm: 55 kmph for cars, 45 kmph for heavy vehicles 5 pm to 12 am: 60 kmph for cars, 40 kmph for heavy vehicles Built on real traffic data The proposal is based on an analysis of 72 hours of traffic footage collected near Akshardham Plaza in July 2024. Researchers found that cars account for over 80 per cent of traffic on the corridor, while heavy vehicles contribute between 4 and 12 per cent. Traffic rises steadily through the day before peaking during the evening office rush, when the expressway frequently slips into stop-and-go congestion. Using internationally accepted traffic engineering methods, the team also calculated the speeds at which most motorists naturally travel during congestion, helping design the dynamic limits. Can you get Challans during the trial? Electronic VSL boards will be installed near the Akshardham interchange in both directions. To ensure drivers follow the displayed speeds, Delhi Traffic Police has been asked to enforce the changing limits through challans (traffic tickets) during the pilot. Researchers will evaluate the system after 30, 90 and 120 days, comparing traffic flow, congestion levels, speed variations and driver compliance. Could this change how Indian expressways are managed? If the pilot succeeds, variable speed limits could be introduced on other expressways across the country. Rather than relying only on expensive road widening projects, dynamic speed management could offer a cheaper way to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and enhance road safety, while helping shape national guidelines for the technology's wider rollout.

What if the fastest way through Delhi traffic was to drive slower? That's the question behind a first-of-its-kind experiment on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, where changing speed limits could transform the daily commute.

New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised&nbsp;In a tragic accident, an on-duty traffic policeman was severely injured after he was struck by a speeding car on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Friday evening. The accident, captured on surveillance camera, shows that the cop flung several feet into the air before he crashed onto the road. Following the incident, he was taken to a nearby hospital, where his condition is still found to be critical.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Ghaziabad - Disturbing Visuals 🚨 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/MORTHIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MORTHIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nitin_gadkari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmitShah</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Driving License System Check &amp; Enforcements? Can’t continue this way! <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristinMP_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChristinMP_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/htTweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@htTweets</a> <a href="https://t.co/7iAbzgUOXt">pic.twitter.com/7iAbzgUOXt</a>&mdash; Dave (Road Safety: City &amp; Highways) (@motordave2) <a href="https://twitter.com/motordave2/status/1959309189676966043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The viral CCTV footage shows the on-duty traffic policeman standing near the divider. As soon as he noticed a speeding car heading towards him, he tries to move aside, but before then the speeding car rams into him, flinging him several feet into the air before he crashed onto the road. Even after hitting the cop, the car does not stop and flees the scene. Meanwhile, after the accident, another policeman is seen rushing towards the injured cop.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-79-afghan-deportees-from-iran-killed-in-deadly-accident-after-bus-blasts-into-flames-1755689294282">At least 79 Afghan deportees from Iran killed in deadly accident after bus blasts into flames</a>&nbsp;In response, police arrested two accused, and an FIR has been registered at Vijayanagar police station in the aforementioned case, seizing the car involved in the accident. Further legal proceedings upon the incident are underway, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ghaziabad said in a post on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">उक्त प्रकरण के सम्बन्ध मे थाना विजयनगर पर अभियोग पंजीकृत है । घटना मे प्रयुक्त कार को सीज कर 02 अभियुक्त को गिरफ्तार किया गया है । अग्रिम वैधानिक कार्यवाही की जा रही है ।&mdash; DCP CITY COMMISSIONERATE GHAZIABAD (@DCPCityGZB) <a href="https://twitter.com/DCPCityGZB/status/1959483117938331800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Netizens respond to CCTV footage</h3>After the CCTV visuals went viral over social media platform X (formerly Twitter), it sparked outrage among the public, with citizens demanding strict action against the accused. One of the users said, "That driver shud b hanged in public without a court trial."&nbsp;The next insisted, "I hope court should give him death sentence, now appeal for these type of people."&nbsp;"It looks like intentionally done," another netizens responds.

Following the incident, two accused have been arrested and an FIR has been registered at Vijayanagar police station in the aforementioned case, seizing the car involved in the accident. 

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised In a tragic accident, an on-duty traffic policeman was severely injured after he was struck by a speeding car on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Friday evening. The accident, captured on surveillance camera, shows that the cop flung several feet into the air before he crashed onto the road. Following the incident, he was taken to a nearby hospital, where his condition is still found to be critical.

Following the incident, two accused have been arrested and an FIR has been registered at Vijayanagar police station in the aforementioned case, seizing the car involved in the accident.&nbsp;

Shocking VIDEO: Speeding car mows down traffic cop on Delhi-Meerut Expressway

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New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

Shocking VIDEO: Speeding car mows down traffic cop on Delhi-Meerut Expressway