Date: 20th December 2024
Venue: St Mary’s Hall, RainTree, Chennai
Key Speaker: Professor Bhargab Maitra (IIT Kharagpur)
Introduction
Tamil Nadu, which recorded the highest number of road accidents in India and the second-highest fatalities in 2022, faces a critical need for targeted interventions to tackle speeding. Of the 57,321 accidents in the state, 15,653 fatalities were linked to speeding—a factor contributing to over 70% of road deaths nationwide. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need to address speeding as a pressing issue on our roads.
In a promising move towards systemic change, West Bengal recently became the first Indian state to adopt a scientifically developed speed management policy. This initiative was created through a partnership between the state’s transport department and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), with technical support from IIT Kharagpur and review by global road safety experts. After further evaluation by key stakeholder departments, the policy was approved by the State Road Safety Council in 2023, representing a major step forward for road safety in West Bengal.
In light of this progress and the need for a similar approach in Tamil Nadu, CAG, leveraging its extensive experience in road safety, conducted a consultation with key stakeholders, on ‘Developing Speed Management Guidelines for Enhanced Road Safety in Tamil Nadu’ on December 20, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hall, RainTree, Chennai. A highlight of the workshop was a session led by Professor Barghab Maitra from IIT Kharagpur, who shared insights from his experience in formulating the speed management policy now being implemented in West Bengal.
The consultation brought together policymakers, representatives from various relevant government departments from the State (Mr. Sridharan S - Transport Department, Mr. Govindarajan - State Highways, Mr. Srinivasan S - Police Department (Traffic)), road safety experts (Mr. Ravishankar Rajaraman - CUMTA, Prof. Gitakrishnan Ramadurai - IIT Madras, Dr. Tango Elangovan - Former Executive Director of Kerala Road Safety Authority), academicians and researchers (representatives from Centre for Excellence on Road Safety (CoERS) IIT Madras, ITDP, ASAR), and civil society organizations to explore effective strategies for speed regulation.
Ms Saroja S, Executive Director, CAG, welcoming participants and speakers
Speed Management for Enhancing Road Safety in Tamil Nadu
Road Safety Status in Tamil Nadu
Prof. Bhargab Maitra highlighted that despite substantial infrastructure investments, road crashes and fatalities have escalated post-2020, with 2022 data reflecting an alarming trend. Speeding was identified as a primary cause, accounting for 90% of accidents, particularly affecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Key observations included:
- Infrastructure expansion often prioritizes motor vehicles over the safety of non-motorized users and rural areas.
- Increased speeds reduce a driver’s field of vision and significantly raise fatality risks, with the likelihood of death surging beyond 70 km/h.
- Speed reduction to 30 km/h could decrease accident rates to 10%, compared to a 95% fatality rate at 60 km/h.
Prof. Bahrgab Maitra addressing the audience during his session regarding the importance of the speed management guidelines for Tamil Nadu
The discussion acknowledged the constraints of infrastructure-based solutions due to land acquisition and economic challenges. Effective speed management demands coordinated efforts across state departments, councils, and public institutions.
Recommended Approach to Speed Management
- Safe Speed Audits
- Identifying safety concerns and recommending appropriate speed limits based on data.
- Ensuring speed limits consider human tolerance and engineering assessments.
- Implementation Measures
- Engineering interventions to support safe speed limits.
- Strengthening enforcement through advanced mechanisms.
- Launching targeted public awareness campaigns.
- Adopting Holistic Road Safety Strategies
- Following the "5 Es" approach: Safe Roads, Safe Speeds, Safe Road Users, Safe Vehicles, and Effective Post-Crash Care.
- Learning from Successful Models
- Prof. Maitra cited West Bengal’s collaborative policymaking as an effective model for road safety enhancement.
- Tamil Nadu was encouraged to adopt similar speed management practices for immediate and substantial impact.
Participants absorbing key insights from the speakers at the consultation held in Chennai
Prof. Maitra urged Tamil Nadu to prioritize speed management as the most effective way to reduce fatalities, emphasizing that speeding-related deaths should be seen as preventable and unacceptable.
Key Insights from Other Experts
Mr. Ravishankar Rajaraman (Road Safety Expert): Road Safety Initiatives by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA)
Mr. Rajaraman highlighted CUMTA’s initiatives to enhance road safety in Tamil Nadu, with a focus on helmet compliance and accident investigations. Despite progress, helmet usage remains inadequate. A 2019 government order mandated helmets for women and children, with the Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) playing a key role in enforcement and awareness, leading to increased compliance.
Crash investigations identified deficiencies in road markings and alignment. To address this, Chennai Police studied Kolkata’s successful traffic management strategies, where improved signage contributed to a significantly lower fatality rate (159 deaths in 2023).
CUMTA collaborated with Tamil Nadu Police to establish SOPs for accident data collection and analysis. Training programs under Section 582 of the Tamil Nadu Police Standing Orders emphasized a structured approach to crash investigation, including mock accident drills and an eight-angle vehicle documentation system.
An Accident Review Committee was formed to analyze incidents, particularly those involving MTC buses. Measures such as Under Run Protection (URP) devices and improved helmet usage have shown promise in reducing fatalities. Key concerns discussed included pedestrian safety near bus stops, footboard passenger deaths, and the need for safer road crossings on six-lane roads.
Mr. Ravi Shankar Rajaraman - Road Safety Expert, CUMTA on road safety initiatives and challenges in Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA), highlighting the importance of road accident data
Insights from Prof. Gitakrishnan Ramadurai -(Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras)
Prof. Gitakrishnan emphasized the need for data-driven road safety strategies in Tamil Nadu. While Chennai has seen a decline in fatalities, he noted this could be due to reduced land usage rather than improved safety measures. He highlighted outdated accident data collection methods, reliance on poor technology, and the overuse of terms like “rash and negligent driving” in reports, which often overlook systemic issues.
Prof. Ramadurai stressed the importance of advanced statistical and machine-learning models to analyze accident trends, particularly for vulnerable road users. He pointed out that heavier vehicles cause more severe crashes and advocated for segregating two-wheelers from larger vehicles.
Key Challenges & Solutions:
- Pedestrian safety remains a critical issue, especially on highways with poor crossing infrastructure. Solutions like pedestrian sensors and designated crossings should be expanded.
- A safety audit revealed that 95% of crashes in high-risk districts were due to speeding. While barricades offer a short-term fix, sustainable measures such as toll-based speed monitoring and mandatory defensive driving courses are needed.
- Technology-driven enforcement, like “name and shame” speed displays, vehicle segregation, and better road planning, can help reduce fatalities and improve overall safety.
- Machine learning models can identify accident-prone factors, improving intervention accuracy. Toll-based monitoring systems and electronic displays were recommended to enhance visibility and deter speeding.
Professor Gitakrishnan Ramadurai, IIT Madras on the need for data-driven road strategies
Dr. Tango Elangovan (Former Executive Director of Kerala Road Safety Authority): Insights from Kerala's Road Safety Model
Dr. Tango Elangovan provided insights into Kerala's advanced road safety framework. Kerala’s “Safe Kerala Program” intended to halve fatalities, through strict enforcement and advanced technology. The state employs two Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) per district, one for enforcement and one for licensing.
Kerala’s accident fatality rate is the lowest in the country. Initiatives such AI-based highway cameras to monitor over speeding, wrong-side driving, and helmet and seatbelt compliance. Kerala enforces unique penalties, like community service for violators, and uses targeted enforcement to ensure compliance. The state also discourages the automatic blame on drivers of heavier vehicles in collisions, promoting balanced investigations.
Dr. Tango Elangovan, Former Executive Director, Kerala Road Safety Authority discussing about the possibilities and challenges of speed management
Key Discussion Points and Strategies
Data Collection and Technology
- Tamil Nadu faces challenges in accident data availability, which hinders targeted interventions. Poor technology for police data collection contributes to inaccuracies.
- An aggregate statistical approach, combined with machine learning models, was suggested to identify key factors influencing accidents and design effective interventions.
Vulnerable Road Users
- Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, account for the majority of fatalities. Segregating two-wheelers from other vehicles and implementing underride protection devices for buses and trucks were recommended.
- Pedestrian safety on highways remains critical, with many crossing unsafe zones. Villagers have begun protesting for flyovers to address the increasing loss of life.
Engineering and Infrastructure
- Kolkata’s model underscores the importance of proper road markings, signages, and engineering solutions. Adopting similar measures in Tamil Nadu could help reduce fatalities.
- Barricades were proposed as a quick fix for accident-prone areas, although sustainable engineering solutions are necessary.
Enforcement and Education
- Strengthening enforcement through AI-enabled surveillance, as in Kerala, was proposed to ensure compliance with traffic rules.
- Educating drivers and pedestrians about safe road practices, alongside defensive driving courses for offenders, could improve outcomes.
- Community programs, such as mock accident drills and awareness campaigns, play a vital role in fostering road safety.
Policy and Funding
- Tamil Nadu can learn from Kerala’s model of reinvesting fines into safety programs and involving private partners for resource optimisation.
- Increasing the number of RTOs and deploying them for enforcement and training were suggested to improve oversight.
Conclusion
The meeting reinforced the urgent need to prioritize speed management in Tamil Nadu's road safety strategy. Prof. Maitra’s insights provided a strong foundation for implementing evidence-based measures through a multi-faceted approach involving collaboration, technology, and public engagement. The overarching goal is to substantially reduce road crashes and fatalities by adopting and enforcing Speed Management Guidelines for Tamil Nadu.