Implementation, Integration, Performance Standards…

VRK Eshwaran
Managing Director
Hill & Smith Infrastructure Products
India Pvt Ltd

Road safety in India has taken a priority only in the recent times, so the significance in true sense has not been fully understood by all the stakeholders. Right from the authority concerned with policy & standards makers, product manufacturers, client and contractors who build the roads.

Activities like educating the road user and conducting seminars & conferences by inviting industry experts at regular intervals, issuing circulars, incorporating all types of safety products right at the DPR stage based on the traffic flow study, identification of black spots & accident prone zones will help in highlighting the seriousness of the issue. These activities will not only bring ll not only bring awareness to the road users but also to the concerned officials.

Authorities are aware of latest technology and products, their performance and the specifications. However, in spite of the standards and specifications mentioned in the Indian codal provisions, there is still general reluctance and resistance from engineers & consultants to embrace newer technology in the projects.

It is very important that the Government sends out a strong message at the implementation level that the contractors and authorities use products only from those manufacturers and suppliers who meet these specified “Performance Standards”.

The product manufacturers, consultants and contractors all need to work in cohesive manner for proper implementation of standards in projects.

It is also important for the authorities to incentivize the contractors for making ‘Safer Roads’ which would encourage speedier use of new materials and technology in their projects. The government should ensure that ‘Road Safety’ is not compromised at any cost and it may be prudent for the Government to create a pool of approved manufacturers of various Road Safety products that confirm to the notified Standards and Specifications. This will help the consultants and contractors to specify and use products from approved vendors in a competitive way.