To counter reduced visibility due to foggy conditions on the National Highways during the winter season, NHAI field offices have been directed to take proactive mitigation measures to enhance visibility for the safety of National Highway users.

To enhance road safety during foggy conditions, mitigation measures have been classified under two heads of ‘Engineering’ and ‘Safety Awareness’ measures. The ‘Engineering measures’ include reinstalling missing/damaged road signs, rectifying faded or inadequate pavement markings, enhance visibility of safety devices by providing reflective markers, median markers, etc., providing transverse bar markings in habitations and accident-prone locations, providing solar blinkers on the median openings and replacement of damaged hazard markers signs at diverging & merging locations.

The ‘Safety Awareness’ measures underline incorporating steps to alert highway users of the reduced visibility conditions. These measures include use of Variable Message Signs (VMS) or electronic signages to display ‘Foggy Weather Alerts’ and speed limit messages, use of Public Address System warning commuters about driving speed limit of 30 km/hr in foggy areas, use of electronic billboards, radio, and social media for public service announcements as well as distribution of safety awareness pamphlets on Toll Plazas & Wayside Amenities during foggy conditions, installation of reflective tapes on full width of vehicles on the highways.

In addition, NHAI field offices have been directed to undertake night-time highway inspection on regular basis by team consisting of NHAI officials, Independent Engineers, Concessionaire/Contractor to assess visibility on highway and identify locations for installing additional provisions as required. Also, Highway Patrol vehicles will be stationed near dense foggy stretches. The highway operation and maintenance team will carry red/green blinking baton for guiding traffic in case of accident and establish seamless collaboration with local law enforcement, ambulance services, and municipal authorities. NHAI team will also conduct joint drills with traffic police and exercises to ensure efficient coordination during fog-related emergencies.

Earlier, NHAI delegated financial powers for rectification of accident spots to its field officers and these can be utilised for providing engineering short term measures to enhance visibility during foggy weather and overall safety of road users