Traffic management gets tech-savvy

Traffic management gets tech-savvy
Jagadish Angadi

The deadly mix of mounting vehicular traffic, diversions galore due to the ongoing Metro Rail work and unceasing violations had Bangalore roads in a tizzy. Here’s a look at how things were tackled in 2009.

The volume of traffic on Bangalore’s roads surged in 2009 and perhaps for the first time in City’s history the year witnessed launch of several traffic management projects. There was large-scale technology integration aimed at reducing the traffic policeman’s burden and improving the road users’ behaviour.

The number of accidents - minor and fatal - came down even as the Metro rail work began on all the four stretches. However, traffic violation cases shot up thus earning more revenue in the form of penalty to the police account.

This is how Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic & Security) Praveen Sood sums up the year: “It has been a mixed bag for the police, with both achievements and setbacks. The work on record number of projects taken up with the objective of decongesting roads, however caused inconvenience to the public. But, these projects will bring relief to road users next year. More space on roads was consumed for construction of flyovers, underpasses, overbridges, Metro rail project and cable/pipe laying and replacing projects. This slowed down traffic movement and led to congestion in residential areas as vehicles had to take alternative route. Despite this, there were hardly any incidents of traffic gridlocks.”

Traffic projects
The year saw launching of as many as 25 road projects including construction of flyovers, underpasses and overbridges. The work on flyovers in Horamavu, Somanahalli, ITC, ‘O’ Farm, Hosur road, Peenya (both elevated), underpasses in Puttenahalli Kadirenahalli and railway overbridges in Benaganahalli and Nayandalli began during the year. This apart, the Metro rail work on all the four reaches MG Road-Byappanahalli, Jayanagar-Majestic, Peenya-Majestic and Mysore Road-Majestic also took off.

The police could ensure fairly smooth traffic movement as they adopted scientific and practical approach in reducing traffic woes due to implementation of many projects simultaneously.

“We synchronised traffic signalling system and introduced additional signal lights wherever necessary. This reduced burden on cops on the ground. We relocated ground force in those areas where there were no signals. We also deployed forces to such areas where it was absent. Installation of new traffic signals and relocation of the force ensured that the traffic situation did no go out of control. Synchronisation of signals from International Airport to Hebbal flyover and on JC Road also ensured smooth traffic flow,” said Sood.