Problems and Possible Solutions For Better Traffic Management: A Case Study of Vadodara-Ahmedabad Section of National Highway Eight

Efficient traffic management on the National Highways (NHs) is very essential in the country. The present NH system that evolved over the years has a number of deficiencies. The basic objective of the present study was to identify such management measures that will lead to better traffic performance. We selected as a sample of study, the Vadodara-Ahmedabad section of the National Highway Number 8. An attempt was made to understand the problems, reasons and possible solutions for better traffic management. According to the study, accidents/breakdown of vehicles, RTO checking and poor driving practices are the most important reasons of traffic jam on the Vadodara-Ahmedabad section of NH-8. Drowsiness, wrong overtaking and use of alcohol are the major reasons of accidents. Also, it was observed that health of driver, road and vehicle conditions are important factors that added to occurrence of accidents. The study revealed that the average cost of accidents per annum, on the said section of NH-8, was as high as about Rs. 25 million (cost to the injured party, insurance Company and party causing accidents), excluding damage to vehicles. As regards high fuel consumption due to traffic jams, the annual loss varied from about Rs.1.2 million to Rs. 10.7 million. Proper planning and management could reduce the accidents and other hindrances to smooth traffic flow. In this connection, the paper recommends adoption of a 3-E approach, which includes engineering measures, educational measures and enforcement measures.