GOING HI-FI: Pole movement sensors have been installed on the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation premises in Bangalore. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

BANGALORE: From choosing the drivers based on marks awarded by personnel in the selection, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has moved to deploying information technology for the selection with no manual intervention.

While the information technology (IT) helps the corporation choose the best candidates, it eliminates the scope for nepotism.

The selection comprises three verification stages — physical fitness, personal details and professional skill. Professional skill verification comprises five tests — driving the bus on a gradient, driving on an "8" shape track, reverse driving on an "S" shape track, reverse parking and identification of traffic symbols.

As a candidate steps on the weighing machine, his weight is flashed, a sensor measures his height and his body mass index is displayed, which is stored in the data files.

A web-camera shoots candidate's photograph, his certificates are verified and an identification number is given before he is given a printout of the details.

After passing the fitness and personal verification, the candidate then enters skill test area to show his efficiency in driving.

Displaceable poles are placed atop digitally addressable pole movement sensors on the borders of all driving tracks and if the candidate hits any poles, the sensor alerts the computer.

While one mark each is detected for the fall of each pole, marks also deducted if the candidate fails to meet the deadline.

Randomly picked four road signals on a touch-screen kiosk should be identified within two minutes.

The system comprises 36 mandatory road signals and picks any four signals with eight answers.

The score of each test is recorded in separate computers and conveyed to the candidate. On completing all the tests, he is given the performance sheet indicating the marks secured by him and he can clarify doubts, if any.

Versabyte Data Systems Pvt. Ltd. provided the package for Rs. 28 lakhs. Its Managing Director Kirti Mehta told The Hindu that they had experience in sensor-based applications and thus developed the driving test software and hardware for the KSRTC.

The technology comprises pole movement sensors, diffused reflex sensors fixed in poles at the entry and exit of each track to record beginning and end of each test, microcontroller units to detect data provided by sensors, power and data cables running all around the driving tracks, personal computers connected to sensors to monitor each test and a kiosk.

Gurumurthy, a candidate from Kempanahalli in Shikaripur taluk, Shimoga district, was all praise for the new system. He told The Hindu that his performance was correctly evaluated by the new system. Devaraj from Gauribidanur who appeared for the test on Thursday expressed a similar view.

KSRTC Director (Personnel) N.S. Megharik, who piloted the project assisted by Manager (MIS) Sheshadri, told The Hindu that 2,355 drivers have to be selected out of 11,200 candidates, including 75 women.

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