The New Nation - Internet Edition

CITY'S traffic management system nearly failed to control the movement of automobiles in some roads despite the operation of auto traffic signaling system on Sunday. It was an experiment to find out the problems with the system. Dhaka Metropolitan Police will also demarcate lanes on major roads for movement to different modes of traffic to check overtaking, congestion and accidents. After the Eid an awareness raising campaign will be launched. A drive will be started to punish traffic rules' violators.

In spite of the use of the electronic signal, traffic movement was controlled manually. This rather induced some people to violate traffic rules. Manual control cannot cope with the heavy pressure of traffic in the mega city. Auto signals are likely to help improve traffic management in the long run. But timing for the experiment seems not to have been selected prudently. Situation of traffic immediately before and after the Eid is not normal. Experiment at such a period is unlikely to lead to correct results. The auto signal does not seem to have been re-calibrated in consultation with experts and on the basis of traffic load in different areas.

Automatic signaling apparently was not tuned to deal with additional traffic pressure before the Eid. Manual traffic control where needed for the time being may help ease the present situation. The concerned authorities should act urgently to mitigate the sufferings of members of the traveling public. Some more steps are needed to improve the traffic situation. Important roads and intersections should immediately be freed from illegal parking. Plying of old and worn out vehicles that go out of order on busy roads and add to traffic congestion should be restricted.