Commuters travelling on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will soon have to adjust their driving speed according to the time of day, as authorities are set to roll out a pilot project introducing variable speed limits from August 15.

The initiative, aimed at improving traffic management and road safety, will replace the existing uniform speed limit with different limits based on traffic density during various hours of the day. The pilot project is being implemented with technical support from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).

Under the proposed system, cars will be allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 65 kmph between 12 am and 7 am, when traffic is relatively light. During peak daytime hours from 7 am to 5 pm, the speed limit will be reduced to 55 kmph, before increasing to 60 kmph between 5 pm and midnight.

For heavy vehicles, the speed limits will vary between 50 kmph, 45 kmph, and 40 kmph during the corresponding time slots.

Officials believe the dynamic speed management system will help regulate traffic according to road conditions rather than enforcing a single speed limit throughout the day. Existing speed signboards along the expressway have already been covered or blurred ahead of the rollout, while special sensors have been installed to monitor traffic movement and collect vehicle data during the pilot phase

The Delhi-Meerut Expressway is one of the country's busiest urban expressways, connecting Delhi with Ghaziabad and Meerut. Authorities hope the new system will improve lane discipline, reduce congestion during peak hours and lower the risk of accidents caused by speed variations.

The pilot project will be closely monitored before any decision is taken on expanding similar variable speed limit systems to other highways and expressways across the country.