Ways To Employ An Efficient Traffic Management
On March 01, 2010 in Travel
Systems for traffic management are created to resolve vehicular flow issues on a specified number of roads. There are many instances which make traffic management a necessity. One of these instances could be when a particular road has been the site of many accidents, prompting motorists and residents to demand an investigation, to stop these accidents from occurring. Sometimes the Council adopts an “area wide” approach to traffic problems, for example, where there is a need for several residential roads to have “Speed Control Humps” installed. This may entail identifying a road that causes major bottlenecks with flow through consequences, affecting an entire network of adjoining roads. Generally, all such efforts are implemented to achieve these following objectives:
*To ensure that vehicular flow limits the instances of mishaps.
*To create favorable situations for developing the public transport system.
*To restrain traffic and safeguard the environment.
*To seek equitable levels of mobility and accessibility for all groups of people, particularly for those presently disadvantaged in mobility terms i.e. people with disabilities, children, parents with prams, the old and the infirm.
*To prevent excessive parking on the roadsides.
*To protect the rights and welfare of pedestrians.
*To promote cycling.
Any changes to be implemented by new traffic policies need to be publicized first, allowing for public comment. They will be given 21 days to raise opposition or comments on the said methods. If there are oppositions or suggestions, these will be given due consideration, resulting in any necessary adjustments in such policies before they are finally implemented. As the traffic policy making body, the Council will see to it that such rules are implemented accordingly by deploying the proper enforcing agencies, that may or may not be under its direct supervision.
Examples of Traffic Management Measures
Considering that there are many problematic scenarios to address (as no traffic issue is the same), a common solution in traffic management is not possible. Here are some examples of the many solutions that can be applied.
Speed Cushions
These are a form of speed control hump which are wide enough to allow a wide wheelbase vehicle to pass unhindered. Road humps, for example, fall under this category. Thus cars are slowed, whereas large vehicles like buses and trucks are generally unaffected. Therefore these road humps (otherwise known as speed humps), address the speed problems particularly with cars. After all, the majority of speeding cases involve these cars. Road humps have been proven more effective than speed limit signs.
Temporary Barriers and Throttles
Chicanes and throttles are intended to reduce traffic speed by reducing the available roadway width throughout a short length.
*Installing chicanes on the road forces motorists to take their foot off the accelerator to slow down.
*Throttles lessen the road’s width for the sole purpose of reducing vehicular speed and allow pedestrians to cross safely.
Curbs
At some road junctions visibility is often reduced because of the shape of the road or because of parked cars. To resolve this, curbs are installed near the intersection’s approach.These protect both cars and motorists by the roadside. These do the same for pedestrians.These also prevent cars from parking too near to the intersection.
Width Controls
Width restriction is a self enforcing means of restricting access for large vehicles on some roads. The measure is usually done by placing posts large enough to prevent entry by such vehicles. However, this should not be done without providing access to other routes for the larger vehicles to detour around without making further inconveniences to the public.