By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

To counter reduced visibility on the National Highways due to onset of the winter season NHAI Chairman, Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav has directed NHAI field offices to undertake various mitigation measures. With reduced visibility due to foggy conditions posing significant risk to the safety of the National Highways users, these measures will help to avoid potential accidents that endanger the safety of highway users.

To enhance road safety during foggy conditions, mitigation measures have been classified under two heads of Engineering measures and Safety Awareness measures. The ‘Engineering measures’ include reinstalling missing/damaged road signs, rectifying faded or inadequate pavement markings, enhance visibility of safety devices by providing reflective markers, median markers, etc., providing transverse bar markings in habitations and accident-prone locations, ensuring functional blinkers at median openings at under construction zones and hazardous locations, replacement of damaged hazard markers signs at diverging & merging locations.

Similarly, ‘Safety Awareness’ measures underline incorporating steps to alert highway users of the reduced visibility conditions. These measures include use of Variable Message Signs (VMS) or electronic signages to display ‘Foggy Weather Alerts’ and speed limit messages. Use of Public Address System warning commuters about driving speed limit of 30 km/hr in foggy areas. Use of electronic billboards, radio, and social media for public service announcements on Toll Plazas, Wayside Amenities during foggy conditions and installation of reflective tapes on full width of vehicles on the highways.

The guidelines also encourage NHAI officials to create awareness among highway users to use blinkers and follow traffic rules. In addition, safety awareness pamphlets will also be distributed to commuters crossing toll plaza with a contact number to share information about foggy conditions and assist in case of accidents.

In addition, NHAI field offices have been directed to undertake Nighttime Highway inspection on weekly basis by team consisting of NHAI officials, Independent Engineers, Concessionaire/Contractor to assess visibility on highway and identify locations for installing additional provisions as required. Also, Highway Patrol vehicles will be stationed near dense foggy stretches. The highway operation and maintenance team will carry red/green blinking baton for guiding traffic in case of accident and establish seamless collaboration with local law enforcement, ambulance services, and municipal authorities. NHAI team will also conduct joint drills and exercises to ensure efficient coordination during fog-related emergencies.

NHAI is committed to take all necessary steps to mitigate risk of travelling on National Highways during winter season and ensure a safe and seamless travel experience for the National Highway users.

Reduced visibility due to foggy conditions poses significant risks on the road. Here are several safety measures to consider:

1. Reduced Speed: Slow down to a safe and manageable speed. Use your vehicle’s fog lights (if equipped) or low-beam headlights to improve visibility without creating glare or reflection off the fog.
2. Increased Following Distance: Maintain a longer following distance between vehicles. Fog can distort perception, making it harder to judge distances accurately.
3. Use of Hazard Lights: In extreme cases of low visibility, consider using hazard lights to make your vehicle more visible to others. However, in some areas, using hazard lights while driving is illegal, so be sure to check local laws.
4. Avoid Sudden Movements: Signal well in advance of any intended maneuver, giving other drivers more time to react.
5. Stay Focused: Concentrate on the road and avoid distractions. Turn off the radio or any other distractions that could divert your attention.
6. Utilize Road Markings: Follow the road markings and use them as a guide to stay in your lane.
7. Listen for Traffic: Roll down your window slightly to listen for traffic you might not be able to see.
8. Plan Ahead: If possible, delay your trip until the fog lifts or use alternative routes with less traffic.
9. Keep Windows Clear: Use your defroster and wipers to keep windows clear. Consider using your car’s heating system to prevent windows from fogging up on the inside.
10. Stay Updated: Listen to local weather forecasts or use weather apps to stay informed about changing conditions and advisories.

Remember, it’s crucial to adapt your driving to the conditions you’re facing. In extremely dense fog where visibility is severely compromised, pulling off the road in a safe location and turning off your lights can prevent others from following your taillights and potentially causing an accident. Always prioritize safety in foggy conditions.

***

References

Agarwal, S., & Sharma, S. N. Universal Design to Ensure Equitable Society. International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR), 1.

Ali, F., Khan, Z. H., Khattak, K. S., & Gulliver, T. A. (2023). The effect of visibility on road traffic during foggy weather conditions. IET Intelligent Transport Systems.

Liu, Z., He, Y., Wang, C., & Song, R. (2020). Analysis of the influence of foggy weather environment on the detection effect of machine vision obstacles. Sensors, 20(2), 349.

Lodhi, A. S., Sharma, S. N., Dehalwar, K., & Jaiswal, A. (2023). Framework for Road Safety Improvement Measures for Madhya Pradesh. Vision Zero: Systems, Approaches and Implementation, New Delhi. Blumsburry. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10396811

Peng, Y., Abdel-Aty, M., Lee, J., & Zou, Y. (2018). Analysis of the impact of fog-related reduced visibility on traffic parameters. Journal of transportation engineering, Part A: Systems, 144(2), 04017077.

Sharma, S. N. (2005). Evaluation of the JnNURM Programme of Government of India for Urban Renewal. Think India Journal, 8(2), 1-7.

Shepard, F. D. (1996). Reduced visibility due to fog on the highway (Vol. 228). Transportation Research Board.