Navigating foggy roads: NHAI implements measures for highway safety
Delhi : The North has been enveloped in a thick fog as the country's winter season continues to drop the temperature. According to a PIB press release, the state-owned National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has put in place road safety initiatives to combat decreased visibility brought on by foggy conditions. This is done with an eye toward maintaining road safety during the foggy season.
The measures have been divided into two categories: safety awareness and engineering measures. It has been suggested that NHAI representatives raise awareness among motorists about the need of wearing blinkers and following traffic laws.
"Engineering measures" includes things like putting back in place damaged or missing road signs, fixing faded or inadequate pavement markings, putting in place transverse bar markings in residential areas and accident-prone areas, making sure that blinkers are working at median openings in high-risk and under-construction zones, and replacing damaged hazard marker signs at diverging and merging locations all fall under this category.
The "Safety Awareness" measures place a strong emphasis on combining efforts to alert drivers to conditions involving reduced visibility. In order to communicate "Foggy Weather Alerts" and speed restriction notifications, these procedures entail using variable message signs (VMS) or electronic signage. Along with installing reflective tape across the entire width of vehicles on highways, other measures include using radio, social media, and electronic billboards to broadcast public service announcements at Toll Plazas and Wayside Amenities during foggy conditions. A public address system will also be used to warn commuters about the 30 km/h speed limit in foggy conditions.
Weekly nightly highway inspections are to be carried out by the NHAI field offices, per orders. A team made up of the concessionaire/contractor, independent engineers, and NHAI authorities will conduct these inspections. Assessing visibility on the highway and identifying locations where extra measures might be required are the goals. Highway patrol cars will be positioned close to the areas of strong fog.
In the case of an accident, the highway operation and maintenance personnel will be armed with red/green blinking batons to guide traffic. They'll set up efficient working relationships with neighborhood law enforcement, emergency medical services, and local government representatives. NHAI teams will also practice together in order to improve cooperation in the event of a fog-related emergency.
