Foot Over Bridges @OMR
By Ramon FVelasquez (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
Do you know? OMR has the highest number of Foot Over Bridges in Chennai.It has 14 of them overall(ref : The Hindu).
These include FOBs at :
Tidel park
Seevaram
Perungudi
PTC Quarters
Near Shollinganallur Aavin Diary
Akkarai road,Shollinganallur
Karapakkam
But do pedestrians use these Foot Over Bridges at OMR?
Hardly,says an article in 'The Hindu'.The article says that of the 14 FOBs only the one at Tidel park is used frequently by pedestrians.The others are not only ignored but pedestrians often just cross the highway right beneath the FOBs unaware of the danger ahead.There have been accidents because of this careless act. Kandhanchavadi is one of the most accident prone zones in OMR and though there is a FOB here , pedestrians often ignore it leading to fatal accidents.
Why are they not used?
It takes time to get to the top of the bridges and cross the highway.Crossing on the road is quicker and takes less energy. The little difference makes a big difference though the danger is very high. Also as the article in The Hindu says the FOBs are not at the right points pedestrians would prefer. One example cited is the one at Shollinganallur which is required near the signal but located half a kilometer away encouraging pedestrians to take the road to cross.
How to encourage pedestrians to use FOBs?
- There could be handposts planted asking pedestrians to use the FOB. The danger of not using them could be highlighted.
- More FOBs could be built at important locations
- The Police could alert pedestrians crossing the highway avoiding the FOBs.
- Awareness campaigns could be done by the Government.
Any alternative to FOBs?
Subways!There are subways in many parts of Chennai. Pedestrians would prefer a subway more than a FOB as the article suggests.May be building subways in OMR would lead to lesser accidents and make it more safe.It is no surprise that OMR is one of the most accident prone highway in the city creation tension. Safety measures like these will remove this tension to some extent.
As OMR Riders, better we prefer a FOB than risking with life.
Any suggestions?
Happy crossing!
References:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennais-foot-overbridges-a-mountain-to-climb/article4918398.ece
http://www.transparentchennai.com/2011/09/15/identifying-traffic-problems-on-old-mahabalipuram-road/
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/why-some-prefer-to-dash-across-omr/article4214530.ece
References:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennais-foot-overbridges-a-mountain-to-climb/article4918398.ece
http://www.transparentchennai.com/2011/09/15/identifying-traffic-problems-on-old-mahabalipuram-road/
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/why-some-prefer-to-dash-across-omr/article4214530.ece
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