Operating Road Network for Safety Highway Operation and Countermeasures

Operating Road Network for Safety Highway Operation and Countermeasures

There always exists a scope for improving safety by rectifying earlier defective designs by better operational control and the application of accident reduction countermeasures. By selective use of traffic management and other techniques, it is possible to create safer, less congested and efficient traffic networks.

• Potential for conflict and accidents will exist wherever access is provided to roads carrying moving traffic and wherever roads intersect
• Safety will be improved if road users clearly and unambiguously understand which road has priority at intersections
• Pedestrians, cyclists and slow-moving vehicles (e.g. animal drawn) should be segregated from other moving vehicles
• Effective land-use controls can avoid many of the road safety problems which would otherwise occur with unrestrained development
• A safe road network is one where there is maximum differentiation between roads intended primarily for access and roads intended primarily for through journeys.

Problems

• Overloaded commercial vehicles
• Ineffectually wearing protective gear (Helmets/Seat belts)
• Problem locations (Congestion, Parking, Environmental nuisance)

Solutions

• Consultation  with
• town planning authorities
• local traffic safety organizations
• traffic police
• emergency services

• Publicity through
• Newspapers
• Television
• Radio
• Consultations with
• Local residents
• Shopkeepers
• Other stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposals

 

• Possible solutions / benefits
• Traffic  police enforcing traffic regulations
• Axle detectors linked to roadside equipment to monitor flow and enforce speed limit