Chennai has seen an increase in pedestrian deaths, despite efforts to reduce the number of accidents, according to a study conducted by the Institute for Transport and Development Policy (ITDP). Over the past five years, the number of accidents involving pedestrians and fatalities has increased. The proportion of pedestrian fatalities increased from 11% in 2019 to 43% in 2023, as reported in the Road Accident Report (2019-2022) and Road Accident Analysis in Tamil Nadu, 2023, the study said.
ITDP has conducted a study on 2023-24 and presented it at a workshop for Greater Chennai Corporation officials and engineers on May 30 and 31. AV Venugopal, architect and organizer, said the workshop participants were efficient in identifying the issues. area and come up with a solution.
14 selected paths
In the workshop, the agency selected road 14 under Chennai Corporation for improvement. Among them are Old Jail Road with Ibrahim Sahib Salai, Perambur High Road, and Gandhi Irwin Road. The selection is based on factors such as footfall, street character, and urgent development needs.
The study said that the Chennai Corporation has taken measures to reduce overall traffic accidents, but the increasing number of pedestrian fatalities underscores the need for better pedestrian infrastructure. The survey was conducted in 14 streets, more than 16 km long, among 1,700 respondents, including 830 women, 870 men, 250 children, and 300 vulnerable users. The aim is to evaluate the efficiency of the current pedestrian infrastructure. The survey showed that 76% of respondents found significant obstacles on the sidewalk, 41% due to vehicle parking and 34% due to encroachment. Electric utility groups are the most common cause of roadblocks.
It also highlights that most of the respondents feel that the streets are quite shady and safe. However, high barriers and inaccessible infrastructure for people with different disabilities are a serious problem. According to the report, pedestrian-oriented streets are safer, more accessible, and more livable. Roads like Pedestrian Plaza, CSIR, and Jalan Wallajah exceed the basic requirements. Continuous and consistent footpath standards on all roads are essential for pedestrian mobility, as demonstrated by Sardar Patel Road and Peters Road.
Despite adequate infrastructure, crossings and measures to facilitate traffic should be prioritized on roads like Perambur High Road and Peters Road. Streets without formal sidewalks, such as CP Ramaswamy Salai and Anna Main Road, use storm drains as walking zones, highlighting the need for efficient design for safety and comfort. The lack of enforcement has led to encroachment of footpaths, reducing walking zones on roads like Old Jail Road and Gandhi Irwin Road.
The ITDP recommends several measures such as establishing a secure and continuous access network, phased plans, and regular impact assessments.
The report also highlights the economic benefits of a walkable city. For example, in Chennai’s Pondy Bazaar, retail store owners reported a 15%-20% increase in sales after project implementation.
A project for pedestrians
Chennai Corporation also presented its planned project for pedestrians. The Mega Streets project was launched in 2020 to develop fair and quality roads; Phase I will benefit 19 out of 40 stations.
The proposed Smart Traffic Management System in Singara Chennai 2.0 is expected to impact the city’s mobility, as it will cover 67 of the 165 ITS junctions. “The Mega Streets project will increase accessibility to 610 schools and 174 anganwadis, and serve 220 economically weaker section settlements in six neighborhoods. It will also increase access to 42 Metro Rail stations, 21 railway stations, and 911 bus stops,” the project summary said. read.
30 years old
“The project includes integrated planning and design of underground utilities and resistant soil to manage floods, create roads, including landscape elements, and guarantee a 30-year lifespan for roads. It also focuses on environmental planning, parking management, and creating beautiful public spaces to promote a healthy and safe environment, reimagining the street as a vibrant public space. “The project aims to improve walking and cycling and improve road safety by implementing the recommendations of the Road Safety Action Plan,” according to the presentation.
In the first phase of the Sustainable Urban Services Program (SUSP), five neighborhoods will be developed. Among them is the 1 km Monegar Choultry Road at a cost of ₹29.23 crore. Preliminary planning has begun, and on a nearby street, the storm water drainage network is being rerouted.
Six neighborhoods – Anna Nagar (13.1 sq km), Tondiarpet (18.7 sq km), Nungambakkam (10.7 sq km), Mylapore (11 sq km), Adyar (13 sq km), and Velachery (13, 8 sq. km) – identified for development in the following phases. Roads in these neighborhoods are selected based on factors such as footfall, road character, and the need for rapid development.
