Road signs help streamline traffic, reduce accidents
GURUGRAM: Experts say that lack of proper signage in Gurugram, in terms of location and clarity on directions, not only leads to chaos on the roads, but also takes away from the urban landscape of the city.
“Local residents are familiar with their surroundings, so finding they way and local landmarks may not be perceived as an issue at the community level. But ask a visitor, and he or she will tell you the importance of it, despite the prevalence of GPS assistance. Apart from assisting in determining the correct route to take, good signage also gives character to a city,” Amit Bhatt, director, integrated transport, WRI-India, said.
“Proper signage is a must for the city since they help commuters navigate, and their absence can result in disorientation and accidents. In addition, they also compel people to obey directions, hence preventing them from violating the rules such as by indulging in wrong-side driving,” admitted Sarika Panda Bhatt, programme coordinator at Haryana Vision Zero.
Haryana Vision Zero is a committee of road safety experts from the private and public sectors working to bring down the number of road accidents across Haryana.
Most recently, on Wednesday, a major tragedy was averted on the Civil Lines road when a heavy vehicle collided with the frame of a height clearance bar, which broke and fell on the road.
The accident is suspected to be the result of the driver failing to see the sign board informing commuters that entry of heavy vehicles in the area is barred. No case was registered in this regard.
The situation in Gurugram is often compared with that New Delhi, its neighbour, where proper signage serves to discipline motorists. Experts often cite the national capital’s example as one that Gurugram can look to replicate.
“New Delhi has realized that road signs need to be installed at appropriate places and prominently to help commuters navigate through roads and areas that are new to them. Their agencies work together and are better coordinated towards this end,” Sewa Ram, professor of transport planning at the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, said.
“If the road signs have not been installed correctly, it leads to confusion among commuters, with many stopping by the side of the road to determine the correct route, or resorting to wrong side driving. Both these ways increase the risk of accidents and result in snarls,” he said.
In Gurugram, the responsibility of installing signage primarily falls upon the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) for city roads, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway.
Meanwhile, beyond Indian borders, several countries have adopted new and innovative ways of directing people to their destinations.
In Sydney, Australia, for example, electronic ink has been used for traffic signage. In addition to saving energy, the programmable traffic signs may help officials save money on temporary road sign placement.
›
On Monday, the MCG’s F&CC committee gave approval to the allotment of tenders worth ₹4 crore for upgrading signage. MADHU AZAD, mayor, Gurugram
›
All signage on the DelhiGurgaon Expressway have been put up as per the Indian Road Congress Standards and Ministry of road transport. ASHOK SHARMA, project director, NHAI