There has to be considerable distance between busy junctions and bus stops to avoid traffic jams
Bus bays have been helpful in free flow of traffic at various places in the city say experts. Gandhi Mandapam bus stop is an example. (Photo: DC )
Chennai: Several bus stops in the city have been set up immediately after junctions, violating guidelines laid down by the Indian Road Congress and affecting traffic movement on major roads.
According to transport experts, there has to be considerable distance between busy junctions and bus stops to avoid traffic jams, but at places, like outside SIET College, Saidapet, and Santhome High Road, where the bus stops are placed immediately after a signal, there is inconvenience to traffic movement.
Officials with the traffic police say, “This has not been a problem so far though presence of bus stops further ahead from an intersection would be helpful.”
Retired professor of urban engineering at Anna University K.P. Subramanian says, “Bus stops should be located 75 m from the intersection and the construction of the bus stops must be based on the density of the population. MTC seems to use the logic of having bus stops every 2 km, which is not well planned.”
He adds, “In places like Anna Nagar, a majority of people use private vehicles, but areas where people are from the lower income groups and will use public transport, warrant more bus stops.”
The presence of bus bays have helped in decongestion and experts have been asking for more of them to prioritise road space.
Talking of bus bays erected by the MTC, traffic officials add, “Several junctions, including those at Ashok Pillar and Guindy, have been decongested due to the building of bus bays. The bays have allowed the traffic to flow free without buses obstructing the movement.”
Professor Subramanian adds, “Bus bays are an excellent measure and would be a progressive move in road transport policy. People often do not use buses thinking it would be slow; this has to change.”
( Source : dc )
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