To enhance user safety during foggy weather, the state-owned National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced on Thursday that it has instructed its field offices to implement measures aimed at reducing risks and improving visibility. These measures are categorized into two key areas: engineering solutions and safety awareness initiatives.
NHAI has planned to enhance road infrastructure by improving safety during low-visibility conditions. The key measures will be inclusive of:
To upgrade visibility by installing reflecting devices like medians, markers, and safety barriers. Resetting up damaged and missing road signs, and repairing faded pavement markings. Setting up solar blinkers at median openings and restoring the damaged hazard marker signs at merging and diverging points. These efforts will be taken to ensure better visibility for drivers, particularly in accident-prone areas.
Safety awareness initiatives
The NHAI has also launched safety awareness programs to alert highway users about reduced visibility because of foggy conditions. The measures will include broadcasting a public service system announcement to create awareness through social media platforms, electronic billboards, and radios. Electronic signs and variable message signs (VMS) will be put up to display speed limit and fog alerts. Using public address systems to alert commuters, especially for foggy lanes, and to maintain a driving limit of 30 km/hour. Distribution of pamphlets at toll plazas to educate travellers about safe driving methods.
Moreover, NHAI has also asked field offices to conduct regular inspections during night-time with team members like NHAI officials, contractors, and independent engineers. Inspections conducted by this team will help in identifying the locations that need further safety measures.
The NHAI will also deploy patrol vehicles on the highways for foggy stretches. To ensure seamless coordination, the highway operation and maintenance team will have blinking batons for traffic management. In case of accidents, effective cooperation will be made between the local law enforcement, municipal authorities, and ambulance services. These initiatives will be taken up by the NHAI to lower the risk factors for commuters and enhance highway safety.
(With inputs from PTI)