Yawn: A 10-point programme to ease traffic congestion

A 10-point programme to ease traffic congestion
Bangalore’s civic bodies and police are working towards a six-month rapid action plan to bring about visible improvement in the present traffic situation
The Times of India

How can Bangalore do something about its roads and traffic in just six months when it has not been able to do much in these areas in so many years? “If you cannot have a regulation to check the number of vehicles being registered in the city, how can you improve the chaotic situation in the IT city?'' These were among reactions from many senior police officers to a presentation on the Karnataka Chief Minister's 10-point programme for improvement of traffic in the city.

But Bangalore's civic and police authorities say they are committed to implementing the programme, a sixmonth rapid action plan to bring about visible improvement in the present traffic situation. The programme covers a wide range of activities - from road engineering and public transport infrastructure to parking management and traffic control and regulation.

The programme is a precursor to the ambitious Bangalore Traffic Improvement Project (BTRAC) 2010 which has already got a massive allocation of Rs 350 crore in the first phase.

Days after its announcement in May, the programme took off with hectic activity. A fortnight later, the rains seemed to dampen spirits. The Chief Minister himself had said that the works would be taken up full swing once the rains subside. Yet, the authorities have pushed on and there is visible change in the urban landscape - with roads being widened, new traffic signals and traffic monitoring cameras installed, footpaths restored, drains improved, prepaid auto stands erected, etc.

10-point programme

Road engineering:
Drain improvement- removal and diversion of surface water from the roadway and adjoining landscape at 30 locations Junction redesign with widening of intersection mouths, etc at 50 junctions to facilitate faster traffic clearance
Asphalting of 200 km of road
Medians with longitudinal cement blocks to provide 0.2 m ready-to-fix blocks on 10,000 mts of roads at junctions
Road markings with adequate symbols, reflectors, etc on 300 kms of arterial roads Right of way clearance by removing obstructing trees, utilities like electric poles, etc on 100 km of arterial roads.

Public transport infrastructure:
Passenger information system for effective system of arrival time of buses, etc on five major routes Construction of bus bays at 50 locations so that buses don't block traffic Relocation of 50 autorickshaw stands Relocation of 100 bus stands Bus rapid transit system on the outer ring road based on feasibility study report 50 more prepaid auto stands

Parking management:
Park and ride- parking facilities at bus depots at periphery so that motorists can thereon use public transport - at 10 locations Restriction of on-street parking - to identify 50 locations where on street parking will be prohibited Mini parking lots on vacant land owned by various government agencies at 25 locations

Pedestrian facilities:
Restoration of footpaths along 100 km Barricading of footpath at strategic locations - 10,000 meters Raised crosswalks/pelican signals at 50 locations.

Traffic control and regulation:
10,000 tubular cones to ensure lane discipline Deployment of 500 home guards for additional manpower Vehicle actuated and synchronised traffic signal system Traffic signages on 300-km stretch of arterial roads Traffic control centre, monitoring cameras and variable message systems - 50 each cameras and VMS with control centre at Public Utility Building

Traffic management:
Plans to control traffic, enforcement measures Banning of right and Uturns at 30 locations. Banning entry of certain types of vehicles at 30 locations Local area traffic management plans in six areas - Rajajinagar, Jayanagar, Indiranagar, Koramangala, BTM Layout, RT Nagar Dedicated auto lanes on 20 roads

Traffic enforcement:
Automated enforcement using 200 simputers with capacity to issue 5,000 challans per day Suspension/revocation of driving licenses/permits for repeat offenders

Traffic education/ Publicity:
Education campaigns using various interventions like hoardings, media, meetings, etc.

Public interface:
Traffic help desk to function on the lines of a professional customer relationship management centre Local area committees/ public suggestions in 35 traffic police station areas Public private partnership for involvement of private sector as partners in traffic improvement.

Road safety:
Accident analysis and reduction programme to address 100 most accidentprone locations. School area safety around 50 schools