Device in a nutshell

Can reduce traffic-related noise pollution by 95%-99%.

Will help reduce possibility of hearing impairment, hypertension and other noise-related ailments

Installation is very cheap (around Rs 300) and it is easy to use

Can be implemented on a large scale in short period of time

BENGALURU: Despite awareness campaigns and health warnings issued by doctors, deafening traffic continues to shatter Bengaluru's peace. Having been at the receiving end for long, two engineering students have devised a solution to curb the honking menace - a smart device which can be used instead of horns.It took Vikas Jangid and Saloni Sarkar three weeks to create the infra-red transmitter. The third-year students of electrical and electronics engineering from CMR Institute of Technology (CMRIT) were helped by their mentor Dr Shyamsundar Hegde . The device is expected to reduce traffic-related noise pollution by 95%-99%."Pressure horns can be replaced by the transmitter, which will allow an LED light placed in the vehicle's dashboard to glow. This will alert the driver of the vehicle in front about the presence of the car behind, eliminated the need for a horn and automatically bringing down noise pollution levels," said Vikas.Elaborating how the device functions, Saloni said: A pair of infra-red (IR) receivers will be fitted in the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle and a switch will installed in the steering wheel instead of a horn. When a driver presses the switch, infra-red rays will be emitted and detected by the IR receiver of the vehicle in front, lighting up the LED. This will alert the driver about the vehicle at the back".Ask the students what prompted them to develop the transmitter and pat comes the reply. "On our way to college, we are invariably caught up in traffic. Mindless honking is a big put off and we felt the need to come up with an answer. IR detectors can also sense the type of vehicle behind - LED lights of different colours will indicate the presence of different vehicles. We are in the process of developing an alarm system which can be used in congested parking areas or while reversing a vehicle. A buzzer can also be fitted, which is only audible inside the vehicle," they said.