Traffic management and road safety

Traffic management and road safety
There are a host of opportunities for the private sector in the field of traffic management.
The Times of India


It's a partnership that has mostly benefited the common man. In a city with burgeoning traffic and very few police personnel, private participation in its management has helped in more ways than one.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M N Reddi said that traffic is one area where the private sector has been more forthcoming. It's also a way to advertise. In the last few years, the private sector has come forward to support the police by providing road signage, signals, vehicles and equipment like alcometers and computers for the traffic police automation centre. An industries association has also extended support by deploying 50 private security guards to assist police in regulating traffic on the busy Hosur Road. Another firm came forward and donated simputers, which personnel use to book offenders. Installation of gantries for lane system is another area where the private sector has chipped in.

At the local level too, in the firm's vicinity, the private parties have set up barricades and signage to regulate traffic. "It works well for both, the police in regulating traffic as well as keeping the area decongested for those firms", Reddi said, adding that many firms have taken up such an exercises across the city, which is important in the long run.

When funding was not so forthcoming from the government a few years ago, the private sector came forward to assist the traffic police. "The government does have funds and is disbursing them regularly. But if the private sector too contributes, more work can be done", Reddi said.

Of the nearly 100 signals in the city, only around 10 have been contributed by the private sector. Reddi felt that more firms should come forward, which will help in eventually setting up an intelligent system for traffic management. According to traffic expert M N Srihari, police alone cannot be made responsible for the situation on city roads. While there are a number of rules, regulations and enforcement, which ultimately is for the road user, private participation is essential in contributing to a better system.

With a burgeoning traffic and already congested roads in Bangalore, there are only 1,500 traffic police personnel handling various responsibilities. "When there are 26 lakh vehicles in the city, the number of traffic personnel is not adequate. This situation requires assistance and co-operation from the private sector", Srihari said.

Srihari opined that software companies among others should come forward with assistance in terms of finance, infrastructure and other requirements for better traffic management. While road maintenance is among the many aspects for efficient traffic management, signage, signals and equipment like alcometers, hand held simputers and vehicles go a long way, Srihari said. "Only about 10 percent of the signage put up on Bangalore's roads are from the private sector. The government funds the rest. More firms should come forward", he added.

He, however, felt that many private firms were reluctant to come forward thinking there is little scope to advertise their products or services. "The police should make it clear to the firms that they will be given ample space for advertisement on signage or other material. If that is done, more firms will come forward".

There are 18,000 companies in the city. Even if each of them take care of half a kilometer stretch, the city's 5,000 length of roads can be maintained well. Srihari said, there are 33,000 junctions in the city and less than 300 had signals. "Many more signals are required at the junctions, either manned by police personnel or with signage", he added.

The need of the hour is to encourage private participation and at the same time augment manpower and infrastructure through government funds.