No need to see red over signal lights

No need to see red over signal lights

Sharath S. Srivatsa

BBMP introduces a rotary system of traffic at major junctions

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Making drivers responsible: The success of rotary system depends on self-discipline of drivers.

BANGALORE: As you drive through the High Grounds or Windsor Manor junctions, you would have noticed a small green board saying “YIELD.” Some of you may not have realised what the board stands for: it is actually an attempt to clear the bottleneck that is endemic to these junctions.

Having introduced a rotary system of traffic in these major junctions in May, the electronic signal lights have been removed and the traffic moves with the flow, only to slow down occasionally. ‘YIELD’ signals a motorist to consciously slow down as the traffic yields at that point. Without signals, motorists can have a free left or a U-turn at these junctions.

“Before we implemented the rotary system on Bellary Road, a motorist had to spend an average of two minutes at each junction. Now, it takes just around 30 seconds to cross these junctions during peak hour traffic and less than that during off-peak hours,” K.S. Krishna Reddy, Chief Engineer-Major Roads of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), told The Hindu.

Though the traffic moves swiftly during the off-peak hours, the police manning the junctions have to regulate the traffic during the peak hours, which reduces the speed of vehicles.

“The success of rotary system depends on self-discipline of drivers, and we are trying to provide best possible solution to the harried motorists. Motorists have to reduce the speed during the peak hours but need not stop,” Mr. Reddy said.

He, however, says that to replicate the system at different places, space is a constraint, as it cannot be implemented in smaller spaces. According to him, a large number of junctions in the old cities that witness unplanned development such as Bangalore do not fit into the norms laid down by the International Road Congress (IRC).

The new system cost the BBMP just around Rs. 2 lakh for each junction, and Basaveshwara Circle is also being converted into a rotary junction. “We will try to implement the rotary system of traffic where ever it is possible. Sajjan Rao Circle and Madhavan Circle formed long ago are some good examples for rotary system,” he added.