Will roundabout cure Delhi roads that killed Munde?
8 Oct 2014 6:02 AM IST
In its final report on the study of Munde’s accident site, submitted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Delhi Police, CRRI proposed redesigning of the Prithviraj intersection, which includes the introduction of a roundabout. ‘In that intersection, cars approaching from Prithviraj Road and heading straight towards Safdarjung Road have to drift in an oblique (bent) trajectory, which can be fatal,’ said Dr S Velmurugan, head of the traffic engineering and safety division at CRRI.
He further said, in another study it has been found that one is more used to roundabouts while driving across the New Delhi area. Special Commissioner of Police (traffic), Muktesh Chander, confirmed that Delhi Traffic Police is examining the feasibility of a roundabout in the intersection. He further said, ‘a lot of factors are to be considered in this regard, which includes traffic volume, capacity of the road and even pedestrian movements.’
It is also to be checked how much road space is left after the roundabout is constructed, as we have had bad experiences before. In fact, in some cases, the roundabouts contributed to accidents and traffic chaos, said Muktesh Chander.
The CRRI report also highlighted the fact that overgrown and unkempt shrubs on the median of the Aurobindo Marg approach point obscures the visibility of traffic coming from Prithviraj Road until it reaches the mouth of the intersection. Another serious issue at the concerned intersection is that the service lanes of the four arms merge with the main carriageway in extremely close proximity to the intersection zone. ‘The proposed design suggests that the merging should happen at least 50 to 70 metres away from the main intersection,’ Dr Velmurugan added.
If the proposal - submitted as a ‘concept plan’ in the last week of September -- is finalised, the construction of the roundabout will have to be taken up by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) under whose jurisdiction the concerned intersection falls.
The proposal is also subjected to changes, depending upon the data on detailed physical survey map of the intersection and the data on the classified turning flows at this intersection, which are yet to be provided by the concerned authorities, said a CRRI official.
He further said, in another study it has been found that one is more used to roundabouts while driving across the New Delhi area. Special Commissioner of Police (traffic), Muktesh Chander, confirmed that Delhi Traffic Police is examining the feasibility of a roundabout in the intersection. He further said, ‘a lot of factors are to be considered in this regard, which includes traffic volume, capacity of the road and even pedestrian movements.’
It is also to be checked how much road space is left after the roundabout is constructed, as we have had bad experiences before. In fact, in some cases, the roundabouts contributed to accidents and traffic chaos, said Muktesh Chander.
The CRRI report also highlighted the fact that overgrown and unkempt shrubs on the median of the Aurobindo Marg approach point obscures the visibility of traffic coming from Prithviraj Road until it reaches the mouth of the intersection. Another serious issue at the concerned intersection is that the service lanes of the four arms merge with the main carriageway in extremely close proximity to the intersection zone. ‘The proposed design suggests that the merging should happen at least 50 to 70 metres away from the main intersection,’ Dr Velmurugan added.
If the proposal - submitted as a ‘concept plan’ in the last week of September -- is finalised, the construction of the roundabout will have to be taken up by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) under whose jurisdiction the concerned intersection falls.
The proposal is also subjected to changes, depending upon the data on detailed physical survey map of the intersection and the data on the classified turning flows at this intersection, which are yet to be provided by the concerned authorities, said a CRRI official.
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