Traffic indiscipline and the inefficiency in managing traffic have made road travel hazardous these days. More so in Goa where the ‘acute’ shortage of traffic department personnel has been proffered as a potential cause for the deteriorating traffic conditions and road safety!
It is claimed that traffic management in Goa is poor due to factors like high accident rates, poor road infrastructure including potholes, bad drivers who may lack proper licenses or training, inadequate implementation of traffic laws, and a general lack of coordination and accountability in the system.
Evidently, Goa has not kept pace with the evolving traffic management landscape!
Time and again we are left with a distinct impression that the traffic personnel in the state are found lacking in the fundamental aspects of traffic management.
First and foremost, the misconception that ‘penalising’ traffic violations amounts to comprehensive traffic ‘enforcement’ needs to be dispelled at the earliest. Inadequate knowledge of traffic rules has been the least of problems for the traffic personnel in Goa. It is however the poor communication skills and training deficiencies in handling diverse traffic scenarios which makes them vulnerable to various challenges which pose a myriad of risks.
With the new-age boom witnessed in the automobile industry, a proliferation of vehicles on the roads has been the worst thing that could have happened, at least from the traffic management perspective.
While there has been significant investment in road infrastructure and some advancement in traffic management technologies, the growth in vehicle ownership has outstripped these improvements, leading to persistent traffic congestion and related issues.
We have moved over from traffic management of the earlier years which primarily relied on manual methods, including human-controlled signals and simple signage.
With the considerable increase in traffic volume, more sophisticated systems were developed, such as electric traffic lights and eventually, detector-based real-time traffic signals. These systems evolved from fixed-time signals to adaptive systems that respond to real-time traffic conditions.
In such a scenario, traffic police personnel need to be imparted comprehensive training in traffic management with ‘refresher’ courses being conducted from time to time to keep them abreast of the evolving traffic situations.
This will ensure that they are well equipped to handle new challenges and technologies in traffic control and enforcement.
Managing complex traffic situations calls for a multi-faceted approach that combines technical infrastructure with public awareness.
Invariably however, the ‘awareness’ programmes conducted by the police in various educational institutions and other public platforms have ceased to be anything but formal events which are forgotten no sooner they are over.
Quite often it is the dilapidated condition of the roads which has come in for severe criticism from all and sundry. But commuters suffering the travails of traffic ‘mismanagement’ have not received the type of attention typically reserved for the ‘politics of potholes’.
Let us for instance turn our attention to the ‘traffic turmoil’ at two busy junctions at Davorlim in Margao!
The traffic bottlenecks at ‘Power House’ junction and at the ‘Maruti Temple’ crossroads very aptly sum up the whole story of traffic mismanagement which has brought into sharp focus the inability of the traffic cops to effectively handle large volumes of traffic.
This has also been evident at various other intersections across highways and roads in the state where such roundabouts have gained notoriety purely for the traffic melees which are way beyond the handling capacity of traffic enforcers whose efforts, or exhibitions at that, amount to nothing more than ridiculous antics.
Modern driving without exception has turned into a no-holds-barred contest on the roads. One cannot discard the perception of modern driving as being intensely competitive and aggressive, where drivers prioritize speed and personal gain over safety and courtesy.
The reckless driving behaviours and a decline in road etiquettes as natural offshoots of this ‘trend’ necessitate aggressive policing which could to some extent curb the nuisance. Increased police presence and enforcement could definitely be a deterring factor.
However, the ‘perennial’ shortage of personnel has limited police effectiveness vis-à-vis traffic management which at times turns into a virtual nightmare for both the traffic enforcers and commuters alike.
Ways and means to address the staff shortage in the traffic department hence assumes great importance! It is however gladdening to note that the state has launched digital traffic management using AI, sensor networks, smart cameras, and control centres to monitor traffic, enforce rules, and manage congestion in real-time.
However, the ongoing issue with the stability in internet services has marred the ‘maximum optimization’ of these facilities.
The news that Artificial Intelligence system would regulate traffic across Goa roads was welcomed by commuters! But two years on, the situation persists without any sign of resolution. Traffic management is a complex field due to the dynamic and non-linear nature of traffic flow, involving interaction between various factors like human behaviour, vehicle types, and road infrastructure.
In fact traffic management is a science. “The field draws from various disciplines, including mathematics, computer science, and transportation engineering.”
However, having a good traffic management system in place doesn’t necessarily translate into effective traffic management. The key to the entire process is implementation.
(Pachu Menon is a senior columnist and author based in Goa)
