Turn to hi-tech solutions to break the gridlock
The use of the existing road infrastructure can be optimised without additional capital expenditure
The biggest problem facing transport in cities today is capacity, with road systems creaking under the strain of cars. The traffic snarls reported from Mumbai for the past two days are a case in point. Traffic congestion has reduced the average speed of vehicles in key cities to less than 20 kmph. How does one optimise the use of the existing road infrastructure without additional capital expenditure? We have identified several intelligent traffic management solutions (ITMS) that aim to ease both existing and future challenges facing road traffic.
Advanced traffic advisory for one, uses various intelligent sub-systems like sensors, CCTVs, VIDs etc on roads and vehicles to provide 24/7 traffic advice on various aspects like current and future average speeds, delays, incidents, congestion, roadwork, adverse weather conditions etc. to a commuter on their smartphone. Complementing this could be the variable message signs placed along roadways, to display real time information for a variety of situations including emergencies, construction and road closures.
Traffic lights can use an adaptive signal control technology, wired together through an IP network adjusting to the demand of traf- fic in real time. Japan has already seen the successful implementation of this technology and reduced traffic congestion by 35%. Variable lane capacity management makes congested highways/bridges/freeway systems more efficient, safe and functional. It reconfigures the roadway using movable barriers that are shifted back and forth several times a day to create high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes that match traffic demand. This dynamic solution offers real-time increase in road capacity and maintains positive barrier protection between the lanes.
The construction of U-shaped loops are worth considering as they minimise traffic congestion and significantly reduce the occurrence of severe crash types while facilitating movement across intersections without traffic jams. All of the above intelligent traffic management sub-systems are implemented and integrated by a centralised traffic control centre, that also generates and transmits important traffic related information to facilitate intervention.
According to some studies, the anticipated average journey speeds in major corridors are expected to reduce from about 12kmph presently to less than 6kmph by 2030, if traffic congestion issues are not addressed. There lies a clear opportunity for India to use intelligent traffic management systems to increase situational awareness across the transportation network, analyse traffic performance and improve economic efficiency.