Ahmedabad Traffic Police pilot ‘cooling jackets’ to combat rising heat

With temperatures in the city already touching 41°C in mid-March, the Ahmedabad Traffic Police have begun a pilot project to equip personnel with specially designed “cooling jackets” to help them cope with extreme heat conditions while on duty.

The initiative, launched on March 18, is being implemented in collaboration with the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), an organisation known for working on urban resilience and community welfare. Officials said the move comes amid growing concerns over heat stress and its impact on frontline personnel managing traffic for long hours under direct sunlight.

As part of the pilot, six traffic police personnel stationed at the busy Pakwan Crossroads have been provided with the jackets for trial use. Authorities said the project aims to assess the effectiveness of the gear in reducing heat-related discomfort and improving working conditions.

“These jackets are designed to lower body temperature and provide relief during prolonged exposure to high temperatures. If the pilot proves successful, it may be expanded to other traffic points across the city,” a traffic department official said.

The jackets, often referred to as “fan jackets” or “air-conditioned jackets”, operate on a simple yet effective principle of forced air circulation. Each jacket is fitted with two compact, battery-powered fans positioned near the lower back. These fans draw in ambient air from outside and circulate it through the inner layer of the garment.

The continuous airflow moves across the torso, neck and underarm regions, accelerating the evaporation of sweat — the body’s natural cooling process. By enhancing this evaporative cooling, the jackets create a microclimate inside the garment that can make the wearer feel several degrees cooler than the surrounding temperature.

The jackets are constructed using lightweight, high-density fabric, typically polyester blends, which are designed to trap and channel airflow efficiently while remaining breathable. Elasticated cuffs and adjustable waistbands help retain the circulated air within the jacket, improving the cooling effect.

Powered by a portable rechargeable battery pack — usually around 10,000 mAh — the fans can function for anywhere between four to 15 hours depending on the speed settings. Multiple airflow modes allow users to adjust cooling intensity based on heat conditions and comfort levels.

In addition to cooling, the jackets are designed with safety and practicality in mind. Reflective strips enhance visibility for traffic personnel working on busy roads, while the lightweight build ensures that mobility is not restricted during duty hours.

Experts note that such wearable cooling solutions are particularly effective in hot and dry climates like Ahmedabad, where rapid sweat evaporation can significantly reduce body heat. By maintaining a more stable body temperature, the jackets can help prevent heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, fatigue and heatstroke.

Ahmedabad has been witnessing an early onset of intense heat this year, with temperatures crossing the 40°C mark in March itself — a trend that officials say resembles heatwave conditions usually seen later in the season.

Traffic police personnel, who spend extended hours at busy intersections managing vehicular movement, are among the most vulnerable to such conditions. The department hopes that the introduction of cooling gear will mitigate health risks and improve efficiency on duty.

Further evaluation of the pilot project will be carried out in the coming weeks, based on feedback from personnel using the jackets. If found effective, the initiative could be scaled up as part of broader measures to safeguard outdoor workers from extreme weather conditions.