3D zebra crossing more effective in curbing accidents: Survey

With road accidents claiming over 1,600 lives in the national capital last year, the illusion effect created by the 3D zebra crossing could go a long way in curbing speed and preventing crashes. In a study conducted recently by the expert body CSIR-CRRI, it has been found that vehicular speed could be curtailed by up to 20 per cent by employing 3D pedestrian crossings as compared to the normal zebra crossing on the roads, thereby preventing fatal accidents.

The study has found that the reduction in speed in different categories of vehicles varied from 1.6 per cent to 20.3 per cent, said Dr S. Velmurugan, senior principal scientist with CSIR-CRRI, who was part of the team that undertook the study. “Minimum speed reduction of about 1.6 per cent was observed in the case of small cars (up to 1400 cc) whereas maximum speed reduction to the tune of 20.3 percent was observed in the case of Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs),” the study noted.

He explained that significant speed reduction was observed in case of heavy vehicles due to their vantage point for observation of these crossings. “It is evident that HCVs and buses have an advantage over other vehicles owing to their height. The presence of 3D markings laid across the road is conspicuous from such height and consequently significant speed reduction was observed,” the study noted.

As per statistics, there is one death every four minutes due to road accidents in India which is nearly 382 road deaths every day. The total number of people killed due to road crashes has increased from 1,37,572 in 2013 to 1,46,730 in 2015, registering an increase of 3.5 per cent per annum which can be reckoned to be more than the total number of people killed in all the wars the country has fought till date.

Observing the efficacy of the usage of retro-reflective paint to curb speeds, the ministry of road transport and highways is expected to issue a notification for the usage of these 3D zebra crossings as a speed reduction measure. “The 3D zebra crossings should be used at the hazardous stretches that witness heavy vehicular flow,” Mr Velmurugan added.

“3D Zebra crossing may perform efficiently in reducing speed on the inter-urban National Highways/state highways passing through hamlets and serving small habitations. Therefore, the use of 3D zebra crossing with thermo plastic paint is recommended for all the entry and exit points on the National Highways in order to study and monitor the reduction in speed over a time period of minimum one year,” the study added.

The study has also advised speed reduction measures such as 3D crossings at usual urban stretches where the share of regular commuters following the same route is very high.

It strongly recommended the use of thermoplastic paints for such crossings as they would not dissipate fast due to the heavy flow of traffic, thereby keeping the effect intact. “Importantly, it was observed that the 3D zebra crossings made using conventional enamel paints dissipated very fast due to heavy traffic flow. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to devise the ways and means to lay the same using thermoplastic paints only to increase its longevity and thereby reaping the dual advantage of retro reflectivity,” it said.

“Upon interviewing drivers, it was reported that they felt some sort of hazard was lying across the road prompting them to reduce their speed about 10 to 20 m ahead of the mark,” the study noted.