Adviser red flags foot over bridges - Punjab
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Asija, Navdeep
Feb 4, 2016, 10:05:45 PM2/4/16
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Feb 05 2016 : The Times of India (Chandigarh)
Vibhor Mohan
Chandigarh:
The findings are based on a survey in Mohali, where four-foot bridges have been put up at a cost of Rs 2 crore spent, but are in no way helping the cause of pedestrians. In fact, these structures don't meet even the pedestrian volume or traffic safety criteria.
Traffic adviser Navdeep Asija says in his advisory note, “Results (of the report) revealed that present foot over bridges are actually facilitating uninterrupted movement of the motor vehicle and not helping the pedestrians.“
The report on `Safe Road Pedestrian Infrastructure in Punjab' says that in 2014, 339 pedestrians lost their life in urban areas of Punjab. But the attempt made by many cities to offer a solution with foot over bridges is turning out to be “unscientific, expensive and ineffective way to solving the problems“.
“Pedestrians need to be facilitated via at-grade facilities by installing traffic-calming devices such as speed tables and traffic islands by reducing the speed of motor vehicles at critical points rather pushing them to use grade separated foot over bridges,“ it adds.
Quite contrary to the idea of facilitating pedestrians by installing traffic calming de vices such as speed tables and traffic islands to reduce the speed of motor vehicles at critical points, it was found that present foot over bridges is forcing pedestrians to cover 5-10 times longer distance with up and down movement to cross the same stretch of the road.“During the pedestrian traffic volume studies over four days, it was found that utilization of such wrongly planned infrastructures for pedestrians is almost zero,“ adds the report.
In case of Mohali particularly, the study found that over the last three years, 21 pedestrian deaths were reported at 21 different locations within the municipal limits, but foot over bridges are constructed at place where they were not desirable. In fact, Mohali becomes the first of its kind city in the country , where foot over bridges are constructed at a traffic signal, where it is much easier to cross via zebra crossing, the study says.It notes that another road safety hazard is being created by installing advertisement on the railing of FOB facing motorist near traffic lights. It is also felt that such undesirable infrastructure may add threat to the personal security of women and children, especially during early morning or night hours when there is less traffic on the roads.“Outdoor advertising devices on the face of these foot over bridges are not only distracting drivers but also block visibility of traffic lights at the intersection,“ adds the report.
Besides, such underutilized over bridges are becoming hubs for anti-social activities, especially before sunrise and after sunset.
In the advisory note sent to the technical adviser to CM and chief administrator GMADA, Asija has said, “It is advised that in future, kindly avoid such inadequate and expensive infrastructure to the name of pedestrian safety .“
Vibhor Mohan
Chandigarh:
`Don't Meet Pedestrian Volume'
Punjab's traffic adviser has pointed out that foot over bridges (FOBs) have come up in the state at places where pedestrians are not prone to accident or find movement on roads difficult and thus, there is need to put an end to the practice.The findings are based on a survey in Mohali, where four-foot bridges have been put up at a cost of Rs 2 crore spent, but are in no way helping the cause of pedestrians. In fact, these structures don't meet even the pedestrian volume or traffic safety criteria.
Traffic adviser Navdeep Asija says in his advisory note, “Results (of the report) revealed that present foot over bridges are actually facilitating uninterrupted movement of the motor vehicle and not helping the pedestrians.“
The report on `Safe Road Pedestrian Infrastructure in Punjab' says that in 2014, 339 pedestrians lost their life in urban areas of Punjab. But the attempt made by many cities to offer a solution with foot over bridges is turning out to be “unscientific, expensive and ineffective way to solving the problems“.
“Pedestrians need to be facilitated via at-grade facilities by installing traffic-calming devices such as speed tables and traffic islands by reducing the speed of motor vehicles at critical points rather pushing them to use grade separated foot over bridges,“ it adds.
Quite contrary to the idea of facilitating pedestrians by installing traffic calming de vices such as speed tables and traffic islands to reduce the speed of motor vehicles at critical points, it was found that present foot over bridges is forcing pedestrians to cover 5-10 times longer distance with up and down movement to cross the same stretch of the road.“During the pedestrian traffic volume studies over four days, it was found that utilization of such wrongly planned infrastructures for pedestrians is almost zero,“ adds the report.
In case of Mohali particularly, the study found that over the last three years, 21 pedestrian deaths were reported at 21 different locations within the municipal limits, but foot over bridges are constructed at place where they were not desirable. In fact, Mohali becomes the first of its kind city in the country , where foot over bridges are constructed at a traffic signal, where it is much easier to cross via zebra crossing, the study says.It notes that another road safety hazard is being created by installing advertisement on the railing of FOB facing motorist near traffic lights. It is also felt that such undesirable infrastructure may add threat to the personal security of women and children, especially during early morning or night hours when there is less traffic on the roads.“Outdoor advertising devices on the face of these foot over bridges are not only distracting drivers but also block visibility of traffic lights at the intersection,“ adds the report.
Besides, such underutilized over bridges are becoming hubs for anti-social activities, especially before sunrise and after sunset.
In the advisory note sent to the technical adviser to CM and chief administrator GMADA, Asija has said, “It is advised that in future, kindly avoid such inadequate and expensive infrastructure to the name of pedestrian safety .“
Maninder Kapoor
Feb 4, 2016, 10:33:07 PM2/4/16
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Nice article
Foot Bridges over the road are also not suitable for disable, sick and old aged people and this category is always more prone to on road incidents when crossing high speed traffic. I'm totally agree with Navdeep Asija. Pedestrian traffic should be regularised with speed control devices, signs, education and enforcement. Roads should be shared with all type of road users - Motor vehicles, push vehicles and pedestrians.
r.e.g.a.r.d.s
m.a.n.i.n.d.e.r. .k.a.p.o.o.r
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Ashwani Luthra
Feb 7, 2016, 11:14:08 PM2/7/16
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Walking is an important mode of transportation in urban as well as rural set up. Absent, inadequate, inefficient and unscientific pedestrian infrastructure prevalent at different places hardly suit to the needs of the pedestrians. The objective of 'Mobility of All' as proposed by National Urban Transport Policy 2006 gets defeated as pedestrian remains neglected. Civic sense of the road users, be it automobile driver or non-motorized modes or pedestrian in particular make the transportation scenario pathetic, especially in urban settlements. Whether foot over bridges or under passes are required or not is a debatable question. But I am of the view that a life lost on road is a big loss to the economy of any nation.
Poor driving behaviour and bad walking sense of the pedestrians make the road movement not only dangerous but harmful as well. It is not that one person dies on road but in a way whole family dies because at times the dead person may be the sole bread earner in the family. We can think a step ahead i.e. how safer are the pedestrians in the foreign environs where automobiles are more in number and speed is also high. Why cant we think of the countries and the people who have shifted to walking, cycling and public transport systems to cater to their not only daily needs but their special needs as well? If it is said that 'developed countries are not those who are rich but those whose rich travels in public transport'. Then why a developing country like India is made to rely more on private automobiles. Steps should be taken to popularize public transport systems suiting to the physical and socio-economic characterisics of the settlement so that the equation i.e. lesser the number of automobiles on road, lesser be the accident, exists.
Much can be said. But in my opinion pragmatic solutions should be worked out which my suit the requirements of the pedestrians and provide comfort and convenience to them so that violations don't occur and safety and security issues are kept intact. Best practices of the world should be analyzed and best possible solutions for pedestrians should be implemented. In my opinion 'Pedestrian should be considered as a special vehicle and conducive infrastructure should be provided to promote walkability'.
My purpose of writing all this is not to offend any one. These are my personal views only in support of pedestrian infrastructure and the transport system.
Prof. (Dr.) Ashwani Luthra
Guru Ramdas School of Planning
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
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Dr. Ashwani Luthra
Rakesh Garg
Feb 9, 2016, 10:14:19 AM2/9/16
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The first and foremost requirement is education to the road users. At present there is no regular course being taught in schools regarding road safety. The infrastructure development should be integrated with road safety education to improve road safety scenario in the country. The automobile drivers are totally insensitive towards the rights of pedestrians and encroach upon their right of way. Even the zebra crossings are not left clear at intersections. Instead of " Pehle Aap" culture which should be prevalent on roads the users follow "Pehle Main" culture which is the main culprit in my opinion. No-one is ready to wait for a second and allow the other person to pass. It would be of great help if road safety education is made mandatory at school level. The issuance of driving licenses also should be made stricter so that any one not knowing nuances of the road safety does not get the license.
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