Call to revive Traffic Engineering Cells

With most roads across the State battered by the current monsoon spell, it is perhaps the right time to take a look at the science —or the lack of it — that goes into the construction of roads in Tamil Nadu. The process scientific studies on traffic improvement began in Tamil Nadu a decade after Independence. The Highway Research Station was set up to carry out research and planning work in the fields of highway and traffic, and render technical assistance to the departments concerned. Traffic engineering cells/units were established in the highways department, city corporations and bus corporations. These units carried out traffic engineering and planning activities throughout the State, and the authorities concerned with the active and able assistance of these units implemented many road and traffic improvement schemes. The period between 1955 and 1980 was a golden era in the field of traffic engineering in the State. For, at that time Tamil Nadu was one of the foremost states in the country in the field of traffic and transportation.Gone to SeedWhat is the condition of the traffic engineering profession in the State today? Traffic engineering units of the city and other corporations have been wound up. The role and activities of the other organisations have been limited due to various issues. Every person working in the field of traffic considers himself an expert in traffic engineering. Decisions are taken by guesswork or experience rather than by collecting empirical data and analysing them systematically. Efforts for improvement in engineering, education and enforcement are not made in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.In many cities, traffic conditions are chaotic. The road accident scenario in the State is grim. Nearly 15,000 people are killed in about 65,000 accidents annually, resulting in an economic loss of over `5,000 crore a year. But is anybody bothered?The SolutionThe way forward is to revive the mothballed traffic engineering cells in the municipal corporations with qualified staff. The Highway Research Station, which was once considered the ‘temple of learning’, should be made an autonomous research centre under the aegis of science and technology department with permanent qualified staff and regular budget allocation. The activities of the Institute of Road Transport, Traffic Engineering Cell of the Highways Department and the Pallavan Transport Consultancy Services should be suitably reorganised and strengthened. The services of qualified traffic personnel should be utilised at different levels in various departments and institutions pertaining to traffic, transportation and road safety activities.There is also an urgent need to organise programmes and activities to promote traffic-engineering improvements in the State. Unless necessary steps are undertaken, road safety and smooth movement of people will be at stake.The author is chairman, Transport Advisory Forum, Chennai