Traffic FM can play vital role

ASHISH GAJUREL

It has been reported that the Metropolitan Traffic Police Office (MTPO), Kathmandu is planning to launch Traffic FM in Kathmandu. The proposal for this project includes an initial budget of Rs 5 million to cover infrastructure and preliminary operations. MTPO aims to air Traffic FM within 6 months. Analysing the concept of traffic regulations worldwide, it is seen that both public and commercial channels are now operating Traffic FM in many countries. Does this investment really contribute to traffic management? In fact, this concept has worked in developed cities like Berlin, Munich, Toronto, Vancouver and Paris, and in developing cities such as Islamabad, Pakistan for instance.

Traffic FM is a technology for delivering traffic and travel information to drivers. It is typically digitally coded using the FM-RDS (Radio Data System) on conventional FM radio broadcasts. It can also be transmitted on Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) or satellite radio. Traffic information could be collected manually or through Global Positioning System (GPS) or both. Manually operated systems should employee persons all over streets or at least in areas where most traffic problems exist, even operating traffic helicopters and developing a mechanism where the drivers and people experiencing a particular traffic problem report it to the radio station. In this case, the reliability check of the obtained information is important. The other method is through GPS system. In both the cases, well developed information technology has to be available.

The GPS FM traffic system works when a location is programmed into a GPS navigation system. The Total Traffic Network reports that the GPS system then sends information on traffic problems on the programmed route. Visual and audio alerts are available for use with the GPS FM Traffic system. So before working on the traffic GPS FM, a good GPS system has to be developed. .

Some of the FMs have already started broadcasting news related to the Kathmandu Valley’s traffic; so, establishing a separate traffic FM would be like upgrading and concentrating the flow of traffic information. Traffic FM radio informs citizens about traffic flow in the city and raises awareness among people about the importance of traffic discipline and traffic rules to ensure their safety on roads. It helps to control road accidents and promote the concept of safe driving among people.

The service will also ensure better transport facilities and smooth flow of traffic in the city. It would also help in selecting alternative routes in case of traffic accidents, traffic held and traffic congestions.

In a developing country like Nepal, construction of transportation is easier than maintenance and management because of a lack of proper rules and regulations to check the violators, and lack of education and awareness. Traffic FM´s main objectives are to inform people about the traffic system and the ‘current’ status of traffic in a particular city as well as on highways.

Traffic FM has been implemented widely as a traffic management tool internationally. Looking at the traffic management of Kathmandu, this is a greatly underused technology. Kathmandu’s traffic system is mainly controlled and operated manually by traffic police. Although traffic lights are installed at some of the main intersections of Kathmandu, they do not seem to be able to control and manage traffic properly and independently during peak hours at most of these crossings. It is, though, a surprise to hear that MTPO is planning Traffic FM in this context. We should now focus on implementation of technologies. If our traffic management team lacks funds to install and operate traffic lights, the fund of establishing and operating Traffic FM should be used for it instead. It would certainly be meaningless to operate traffic FM in the city where traffic operation is manual.

Without the proper use of traffic lights, Traffic FM would function but would not be very effective. MTPO should focus on technology; Traffic FM is a step ahead in this context.

Before implementing it, a study has to be conducted if it would bring social and economic benefits, if sufficient experts are available for execution and with a long term vision. If executed properly, Traffic FM, just like other FM stations, could collect high revenues. If great effort is made and traffic FM becomes popular with the radio audience, it would be able to attract large revenues by advertising for companies that want to target the general population.

The implementation of state-of-art technologies is necessary. Kathmandu’s traffic management should now shift from manual operations to more automated methods. Operating Traffic FM could be the next step. Therefore, Kathmandu´s traffic management authority should proceed with the implementation of Traffic FM with proper planning and effective execution by hiring competent professionals.

Gajurel (M.Sc

Transportation Systems) specializes in Traffic

Enginering gajurelashish@gmail.com