Taking a step forward towards ensuring a hassle free traffic management system in the city, Ranchi Municipal Corporation in association with Institute for Traffic and Development Policy (ITDP) has started conducting surveys of traffic movements in different parts of the city so that a blueprint could be prepared for smooth movement of traffic in the city.
A survey was conducted on September 26 by ITDP in Ranchi installing video cameras at four different corridors — Kuchery, lalpur, Sujata Chowk and Birsa Chowk where flow of traffic is relatively high. Based on the video footage taken by these cameras, movement of two, three and four wheelers could be counted. On the basis of these counts an assessment will be done regarding the flow of traffic movement in Ranchi.
“Four cameras were installed on the four different locations in Ranchi, on the basis of which an assessment of traffic load in the city could be measured,” said Associate Programme Officer of ITDP Dominic Mathew. “On the basis of the data collected from these surveys, we will try to find out a solution to the aggravating traffic flow on the roads of Ranchi,” added Mathew.
According to Mathew, it is a kind of technical survey by the organisation to gauge the traffic load on City Roads on the basis of which further planning regarding the development of public transport system could be done for the city.
It focuses primarily on developing bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, strengthening bicycle and rickshaw industries, and planning facilities for the pedestrians. Other programmes of ITDP also include traffic demand management, transport for healthcare access and service delivery, and sustainable urban development.
ITDP, a US-based non-Government non-profit organisation, had entered into a memorandum of understanding with RMC in February last year for developing public transport system in the city. It has been providing technical assistance to cities and local advocacy groups on sustainable transportation development throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
ITDP has now started drawing up a Ranchi Mobility Partnership (RMP). ITDP, in association with ‘Ranchi Mobility Partnership’ formed of a group of civil society organisations which intends to contribute to the efforts made by it in in planning and implementation of a sustainable traffic and transport system.
An estimate made by the officials of ITDP suggests that Ranchi roads are likely to become safer and hassle free by the year 2016 as a target of two-year has been fixed by it to offer mobility options and effective parking management system for the citizens of Ranchi.