** MINIMUM-WIDTH ELEVATED DEDICATED TWO-WHEELER AND AUTO-RICKSHAW ROAD SYSTEM An Innovative Urban Infrastructure Solution for Reducing Traffic Congestion in Indian Cities

 ** MINIMUM-WIDTH ELEVATED DEDICATED TWO-WHEELER AND AUTO-RICKSHAW ROAD SYSTEM 

An Innovative Urban Infrastructure Solution for Reducing Traffic Congestion in Indian Cities

MINIMUM-WIDTH ELEVATED DEDICATED TWO-WHEELER AND AUTO-RICKSHAW ROAD SYSTEM

An Innovative Urban Infrastructure Solution for Reducing Traffic Congestion in Indian Cities

Proposed by: K.K. Gangadharan, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

1. Present Problem

The number of two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws is increasing rapidly in Indian cities. Their large numbers contribute to:

·         Increasing road congestion.

·         Long queues at traffic-signal junctions.

·         Increased travel time and fuel consumption.

·         Traffic pressure on existing bridges and roads.

·         Greater demand for wider roads and flyovers.

·         Additional land acquisition, compensation disputes, and construction delays.

2. My Innovative Solution

Instead of continuously widening existing roads, construct a minimum-width elevated dedicated road directly ABOVE existing wide roads.

For example, above an existing 100-foot-wide road, investigate constructing a small elevated two-direction roadway along the central corridor.

3. Proposed Infrastructure Design

Upper Elevated Road:

·         Maximum proposed 20 feet for upward traffic.

·         Maximum proposed 20 feet for downward traffic.

·         Exclusively for two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws.

·         Suitable electric cycles may also be permitted.

·         No cars, vans, buses or lorries.

·         Physically controlled entry to prevent unauthorised vehicles.

·         Signal-free movement along the main corridor wherever feasible.

Lower Existing Road:

Continue using the existing road for cars, buses, lorries, vans and other vehicles.

4. Major Advantages

1.     Reduces two-wheeler congestion on existing roads.

2.     Reduces traffic queues at signal junctions.

3.     Provides more road space for other vehicles.

4.     Improves movement of motorcycles and auto-rickshaws.

5.     Provides an opportunity for suitable electric cycles.

6.     Potentially reduces additional land acquisition.

7.     Reduces compensation-related difficulties.

8.     May require fewer structural materials than conventional wider elevated roads.

9.     Offers opportunities for faster, modular construction.

10.                        Improves traffic distribution and urban mobility.

11.                        Potentially reduces fuel wastage and travel delays.

12.                        Improves utilisation of existing road corridors.

5. Construction and Implementation

·         Identify heavily congested urban roads.

·         Conduct AI-based traffic surveys.

·         Examine structural feasibility and available vertical clearance.

·         Design suitable foundations and independent supporting structures.

·         Provide safe entry and exit ramps.

·         Include barriers, lighting, drainage, CCTV, and emergency facilities.

·         Compare construction costs and long-term maintenance requirements.

·         Implement an initial pilot project before wider adoption.

6. Proposed Pilot Locations

Initially investigate suitable high-traffic corridors in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Coimbatore and Madurai.

7. Government Departments for Consideration

·         Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

·         National Highways Authority of India.

·         State Highways Departments.

·         Municipal Corporations and Urban Development Authorities.

8. Strong Conclusion

Conventional infrastructure planning generally responds to increasing traffic through wider roads, wider bridges, and additional land acquisition.

This proposal introduces an alternative: vertical road expansion through a minimum-width, vehicle-specific elevated mobility corridor above existing roads.

Rather than constructing another wide road for every category of vehicle, governments should investigate whether a small, dedicated elevated road can accommodate a substantial portion of two-wheeler and auto-rickshaw traffic.

The expected outcome is less congestion, fewer signal queues, potentially lower land acquisition requirements, improved mobility and better utilisation of existing urban infrastructure.

A SMALL ELEVATED ROAD CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO INDIA'S URBAN TRANSPORT FUTURE.

Recommendation: Conduct a technical and economic feasibility study and launch a pilot project in a heavily congested Indian city.

My final recommendations

 

Important consideration	Recommendation
Proposed 20 ft + 20 ft width	Treat as an initial maximum design proposal, subject to engineering validation.
Construction cost	Request a comparative cost study rather than promise that it will necessarily be cheaper.
Traffic signals	Emphasise signal-free through movement, with safe controls at entry and exit points.

The central message is:

"Instead of expanding roads horizontally, let us investigate expanding them vertically through minimum-width, dedicated infrastructure for two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws."

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