Page 58 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035

FIG 3.9
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS, PERSONS KILLED AND INJURED
IN INDIA AS PER ROAD CLASSIFICATION
IN 2015[5]

NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF
PERSONS
PERSONS
KILLED
KILLED
NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF
PERSONS INJURED
ACCIDENTS PERSONS INJURED
ACCIDENTS
STATE HIGHWAYS 1,20,518 40,863 1,31,809
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS 1,42,268 51,204 1,45,341
OTHER ROADS 2,38,637 54,066 2,23,129
only cause (Figure 3.8). Most common causes Information to the driver should always be given
of road accidents are over-speeding, driving in a safe way, avoiding any information overload
under influence of alcohol or drugs, driver or misuse of information systems. In this respect,
fatigue, unsafe headways, jumping the red light a safe human-machine interaction is of great
and unsafe overtaking maneuvers. On top of importance. In order to make Indian roads safer,
this, consequences of accidents are aggravated it is important to have a comprehensive plan to
by the fact that many drivers/ co-passengers achieve the objectives.
do not wear seat belts. Accurate, reliable and
timely information on traffic queues and other It is required to develop an efficient and
dangerous situations (safety related traffic integrated traffic management system to control
messages and alerts on incidents, accidents, and regulate such large number of vehicles
weather conditions) should be made available by operating on Indian roads. Reduction in traffic
the authorities to the drivers. congestion and optimum use of the existing
capacity is a major challenge for the road
Improvement in traffic safety is a very critical transport sector’s relevance. Estimates suggest
issue for road transport sector. According to that “road congestion costs, including commuting
Ministry of Safety and Highways, road accidents and leisure traffic as well as business and freight
were 9 leading cause of deaths in the country in traffic” affect Indian economy significantly (~1%
th
2004 and are expected to be 5 leading cause of of GDP). Several effective plans have already
th
deaths by 2030 worldwide. This requires serious been developed, however, for safe and efficient
thoughts and introspection for development of transportation system, it is essential to have a
effective traffic planning and safety systems. Fig 3.9 master traffic plan, which must be capable of
- Shows the Number of Accidents, Persons Killed controlling vehicular movement with higher
and Injured in India as per Road Classification in levels of safety. The stake holders including
2013. public authorities responsible for provision and
maintenance of road infrastructure, vehicle
Accidents can also be reduced by improving manufacturers, individual drivers and end users
the information available to the road user about of transport must be involved in planning these
the existing speed limits and warning them safety measures.
immediately and swiftly, when these limits are
exceeded. Improved navigation information and 3.5 GAPS IN SAFETY SCENARIO
better route guidance at complex intersections Road safety measures have to be taken on
and in unfamiliar places reduces driver stress priority basis to arrest and reverse the rising road
and contribute to safer driving conditions. There fatalities in India. Driver training which would
should be awareness that commercial vehicle ensure safe driving, should be encouraged. Road
drivers (which are often slower than traffic) traffic signs and signals need to be periodically
must allow other drivers in passenger vehicles checked. Road dividers, barriers should be
to pass, in order to avoid risky overtaking used to prevent crossover of traffic. Speed
maneuvers. Better information for the truck limits should be strictly enforced. Driver safety
drivers on existing traffic constraints also leads awareness campaigns for seat belts and helmets
to lower collisions and accidents involving trucks. need to be expedited. Safety devices such as

56 ROADWAYS