B’lore needs modern traffic management system: Experts

B’lore needs modern traffic management system: Experts
Deccan Herald

Should the IT City look into its core strength — technology — to find answers to the explosive traffic situation developing in the Central Business District? Traffic experts certainly suggest so.

Vinoba Isaac of Wilbur and Smith feels that Bangalore needs a modern traffic management system. This system should be us-ed to optimise junction traffic.

Also, it should act as an ‘incident management system’, that will check for road blocks caused by accidents or breakdowns. In case of accidents, the system will automatically divert traffic to other routes. Cameras, connected to a variable messaging system, should also be installed at busy junctions that can warn road users of traffic jams.

“The B-TRAC project prepared by the Bangalore Traffic Police is aimed towards incorporating modern technology into traffic management programmes. Only an integrated approach can solve the traffic problem, not only on M G Road, Brigade Road and Kamaraj Road, but in other areas as well,” Isaac, who has been involved in framing the B-TRAC, said.

Traffic expert Sanjeev Kumar, who had conducted comprehensive traffic studies when he was a member of the erstwhile Bangalore Agenda Task Force, recommends a multi-layered action plan, with technology being only a part of it.

“As far as the traffic congestion in the CBD areas is concerned, we are now at the fire-fighting stage,” Kumar said. According to him, creation of more multi-level parking lots is a must, as far as parking management is concerned. “However, they should be dedicated for parking. The conversion of parking complexes to malls has not been successful,” he pointed out. Kumar also felt public should consciously move towards mass transit, facilitated by metro rail, mono rail or a bus rapid transit system.

Muralidhar Rao, an engineer involved in BMTC’s Bangalore Agenda Task Force, also sh-ared a similar idea. “We should ‘pedestrianise’ these commercial areas, like it is done in western countries. Only shuttle buses should be allowed in these areas on weekends. There might be problems, as roads like M G Road are arterial roads, but alternative routes can be developed. Another option could be introduction of ‘congestion tax’ on these roads, which will act as a disincentive and check the entry of vehicles,” Rao said.

Vijayan Menon, Co-ordinator of Koramangala Initiative Traffic Cell, looks at what he feels is the root of all problems — “lack of scientific planning”.

“Traffic management in CBD areas is based on the whims and fancies of a few officials. There are professionals who specialise in traffic studies, but their services are not employed. Instead, short-sighted solutions are implemented. The public should insist that any traffic-related policy is backed by scientific studies,” Menon said.

READERS SUGGEST

*Synchronised signals for optimum vehicle flow

*Congestion charge on major roads

*Stricter enforcement of traffic discipline

*Training of volunteers/unemployed youth on traffic management

*Ban on entry of all personal vehicles into Central Business District (CBD)

*Multi-storeyed parking space with financial contributions from shop owners

*Pooled transport in vans and mini-buses

*Better bus connectivity from CBD to all major localities in City

*Weekend parking space on parade grounds on M G Road

* Shared autorickshaws