abhishreshthaa
Abhijeet S
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Even with the existing vehicles on the road, fuel efficiency could be much improved by maximizing the effectiveness of the existing road system through more satisfactory and better regulated operating conditions. Non-availability of footpaths and cycle-paths and use of the limited road space for non-transport purposes (hawking, stacking of materials, parking, etc.) result in the congestion of roads and the slowing down of traffic.
This, combined with poor maintenance of vehicles and roads, poorly trained and checked drivers and mechanics (this training alone could save 10% of fuel), idle running of engines, over speeding, frequent acceleration and deceleration, stoppages at check-posts, use of low-quality lubricants/ additives/ greases, and poor lighting, signaling, policing and parking controls on road traffic are among the various operational, regulatory and monitoring factors pertinent to conservation in transport. That is, reduction of transport energy can take place without a decrease in transport services.
Proper attention to the right-of-way (RW) factors (guidance; separation of slow-moving or non-motorized and fast or motorized traffic; and grade, direction and lane separation) and planned routing of trucks could also yield significant savings in fuel consumption. Special attention is needed at busy intersections.
Avoidable road ‘‘congestion’’ has high direct and indirect costs, such as in fuel and time losses, increased energy use, pollutant emissions and noise, accidents and vehicle maintenance costs, health impacts on road users and residents, and other opportunity costs of traffic slowdowns.
Slowing down of average speeds also drives people from public transport towards fuel-inefficient private vehicles and from non-motorised towards motorised transport
A study done in the US estimated a loss of about 50 litres of fuel in 1,000 speed changes of 80-25-80 kmph. Optimum speeds need to be determined for the available road transport systems and traffic management implemented to achieve traffic flows with least obstruction.
Even with the existing vehicles on the road, fuel efficiency could be much improved by maximizing the effectiveness of the existing road system through more satisfactory and better regulated operating conditions. Non-availability of footpaths and cycle-paths and use of the limited road space for non-transport purposes (hawking, stacking of materials, parking, etc.) result in the congestion of roads and the slowing down of traffic.
This, combined with poor maintenance of vehicles and roads, poorly trained and checked drivers and mechanics (this training alone could save 10% of fuel), idle running of engines, over speeding, frequent acceleration and deceleration, stoppages at check-posts, use of low-quality lubricants/ additives/ greases, and poor lighting, signaling, policing and parking controls on road traffic are among the various operational, regulatory and monitoring factors pertinent to conservation in transport. That is, reduction of transport energy can take place without a decrease in transport services.
Proper attention to the right-of-way (RW) factors (guidance; separation of slow-moving or non-motorized and fast or motorized traffic; and grade, direction and lane separation) and planned routing of trucks could also yield significant savings in fuel consumption. Special attention is needed at busy intersections.
Avoidable road ‘‘congestion’’ has high direct and indirect costs, such as in fuel and time losses, increased energy use, pollutant emissions and noise, accidents and vehicle maintenance costs, health impacts on road users and residents, and other opportunity costs of traffic slowdowns.
Slowing down of average speeds also drives people from public transport towards fuel-inefficient private vehicles and from non-motorised towards motorised transport
A study done in the US estimated a loss of about 50 litres of fuel in 1,000 speed changes of 80-25-80 kmph. Optimum speeds need to be determined for the available road transport systems and traffic management implemented to achieve traffic flows with least obstruction.