The Hindu : New automatic signals and new traffic bottlenecks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

New automatic signals and new traffic bottlenecks

By S. Ganesan

TIRUCHI, MARCH 22 . The installation of a couple of new automatic signals in the Cantonment area in the city appears to have succeeded only in creating fresh traffic bottlenecks.

Rather than ensuring a smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the automatic signal systems, particularly the poorly networked ones on the either side of the Uyyakondan road overbridge, have only added to the woes of hapless motorists.

Three new traffic signals, including the one at the Uyyakondan bridge and the Vestry traffic island, were installed a couple of months ago. The third one at the Collector's Office Road intersection has already become redundant and inoperative, raising a question mark over the wisdom of installing the system at the junction. The multiple signal system installed on the Uyyakondan road overbridge presents a worst scenario as utter confusion prevails at the intersections on either side of the bridge.

The bridge is often the scene of chaotic traffic these days, especially during rush hours.

Though the traffic police have thought it fit to put up the signal system at the junction, locals wonder whether it will serve the intended purpose of regulating the traffic flow, given the fact that signals are located almost right at the foot of the bridge on both sides. They point out that traffic flow across the bridge is much better off without the signal.

Motorists are often forced into precarious situation, as they have to halt for the signals on their descent. Those entering the Pattabiraman Pillai Street at the intersection find it difficult to manoeuvre for space, given the tendency of heavy vehicles, particularly town buses, to speed down the bridge.

Strangely, the signals at the both ends have not even been synchronised and as a result, motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, are often forced to halt on both sides braving the hot sun.

A senior police official conceded that the timing of the signals has to be reworked.

While "free-lefts" are the standard norm at most traffic signals, motorists are not allowed to turn left near the Iyyappan Temple.

It is also still not clear whether the `free-left' rule is applicable for motorists coming from the Pattabiraman Pillai Street with the traffic cops on duty at the spot often disallowing it. (Ironically, two cops are deployed at the junction despite the installation of the signal).

Indiscriminate parking of vehicles in front of the commercial establishments situated on the Pattabiraman Road, just a few yards before the junction, is also proving a hindrance.

The signal at the Vestry School traffic island has also proved unnecessary as the traffic flow around it has been relatively free of problems.

Consequent to the installation of new signals, the stretch between Puthur Four Roads Junction and the Head Post Office in the City, a distance of just about 2 km, has four traffic signals.

The installation of the signals has clearly exposed the traffic authorities' failure to make a proper study of the traffic flow at the intersections, irate road users say.

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