Sunday 28 October 2012
Friday 26 October 2012
Wednesday 24 October 2012
MISSION STATEMENT
According to a survey, Bangalore scores the lowest amongst
seven Indian cities in terms of walkability and pedestrian rights. It was found
that vehicles during signals rarely halt on the zebra crossing leaving no space
for the pedestrians to walk. As socially active design students we decided to
take a stand for the greater good of pedestrians.
We have noticed that
vehicles barely stop at crossings and instead of slowing down they speed up.
Its not only the vehicles who are at fault but also the people as they don’t make use of the zebra crossings
and apart from this they cross when the signal is green. People meet with
accidents as they do not adhere to basic traffic rules.
EXPERIENCES ON ROAD
At the beginning of this project, a daunting one on
raising awareness of safety on the roads for pedestrians and motorists alike,
most of us had our doubts. We were a group of teenagers, painted and clueless,
out on the road performing for the greater good. It really seemed like us
against the world. We were prepared for the stares and the mocking comments
that we would inevitably receive. However, we were not prepared for the
overwhelmingly positive experience that it turned out to be.
We started out at the crossing near Forum Mall in Koramangala, on Saturday the thirteenth of October. The curious stares and whispers started as soon as we walked out in black and white paint. We assembled at the crossing and the first fifteen minutes was a bit chaotic. The original idea was to cross with the people but that did not grab their attention. So we worked out that if we just stood on the crossing it would be more effective. If a boy dancing in the middle of a crossing at peak traffic time did not grab the attention of the crowd, then nothing ever would. Our performance came together quickly and we worked like a machine. The crowd mostly consisted of people visiting the mall. We found them to be responsive and co-operative, to our surprise. They were aware of the traffic rules, when asked. Most of them were curious and came to us without any prompting from our side. We got mixed responses, though, to their photos being taken, from very willing to outright refusal. They were encouraging and appreciative of our efforts. It was a pleasing start to our project.
The next day, we set off to Mekhri Circle but did not find much of a crowd there. So we changed destination to Brigade Road. On the way we heard a lot of mocking comments being passed, which we did not encounter at Koramangala. We set up our cameras at the zebra crossings on the end of the road. We immediately felt the difference in the crowd from the previous day. The people were less co-operative and sometimes refused to use the crossing. Older, middle aged people were even mistrustful. We encountered a few drunken men and an accident that was caught on tape. Despite everything, the people appreciated our work once they understood our intention. Unfortunately, our performance had to be cut short due to unexpected rain. We were slightly disappointed but overall satisfied with the responses we received.
We did our final performance at the Market in Old Yelahanka. On our way to the crossing we were approached by many curious people to whom we gladly explained our cause. The final crossing was very different from the previous two places in that there was a lot of strictly Kannada speaking localites. They were very curious, the curiosity that you find among people from small towns, the wonder of seeing something new from their everyday lives. As it was on the outskirts, communication proved to be a challenge for most did not speak English. We found them to be apprehensive at first but when they understood our message, they became responsive and co-operative. The traffic was chaotic and most of the drivers were stubborn when asked to move back from the crossing. The people were very willing to have their photos taken, making our task easier. We were very satisfied with the way our project ended.
However, we are aware that safety is an issue that must not stop with a group of college students taking it up as their art project. Street art is never successful without a response from the public and the response we have got is both encouraging and touching. We believe that the people in Bangalore are willing to learn and to act for the better. We hope that we made a change, however small, by creating a lasting impression in the minds of those who witnessed us on the road. We also hope that it does not stop there and that they take it up as a cause to spread safety and traffic awareness to make Bangalore a much safer and walkable city.
We started out at the crossing near Forum Mall in Koramangala, on Saturday the thirteenth of October. The curious stares and whispers started as soon as we walked out in black and white paint. We assembled at the crossing and the first fifteen minutes was a bit chaotic. The original idea was to cross with the people but that did not grab their attention. So we worked out that if we just stood on the crossing it would be more effective. If a boy dancing in the middle of a crossing at peak traffic time did not grab the attention of the crowd, then nothing ever would. Our performance came together quickly and we worked like a machine. The crowd mostly consisted of people visiting the mall. We found them to be responsive and co-operative, to our surprise. They were aware of the traffic rules, when asked. Most of them were curious and came to us without any prompting from our side. We got mixed responses, though, to their photos being taken, from very willing to outright refusal. They were encouraging and appreciative of our efforts. It was a pleasing start to our project.
The next day, we set off to Mekhri Circle but did not find much of a crowd there. So we changed destination to Brigade Road. On the way we heard a lot of mocking comments being passed, which we did not encounter at Koramangala. We set up our cameras at the zebra crossings on the end of the road. We immediately felt the difference in the crowd from the previous day. The people were less co-operative and sometimes refused to use the crossing. Older, middle aged people were even mistrustful. We encountered a few drunken men and an accident that was caught on tape. Despite everything, the people appreciated our work once they understood our intention. Unfortunately, our performance had to be cut short due to unexpected rain. We were slightly disappointed but overall satisfied with the responses we received.
We did our final performance at the Market in Old Yelahanka. On our way to the crossing we were approached by many curious people to whom we gladly explained our cause. The final crossing was very different from the previous two places in that there was a lot of strictly Kannada speaking localites. They were very curious, the curiosity that you find among people from small towns, the wonder of seeing something new from their everyday lives. As it was on the outskirts, communication proved to be a challenge for most did not speak English. We found them to be apprehensive at first but when they understood our message, they became responsive and co-operative. The traffic was chaotic and most of the drivers were stubborn when asked to move back from the crossing. The people were very willing to have their photos taken, making our task easier. We were very satisfied with the way our project ended.
However, we are aware that safety is an issue that must not stop with a group of college students taking it up as their art project. Street art is never successful without a response from the public and the response we have got is both encouraging and touching. We believe that the people in Bangalore are willing to learn and to act for the better. We hope that we made a change, however small, by creating a lasting impression in the minds of those who witnessed us on the road. We also hope that it does not stop there and that they take it up as a cause to spread safety and traffic awareness to make Bangalore a much safer and walkable city.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
WHAT HAPPENS IF
1.YOU DO NOT STOP AT THE RED LIGHT
5 traffic signal points are fitted with enforcement cameras that send signals directly to the new Enforcement Automation Center. So every time a vehicle crosses the red light its photograph would be transferred to the department. This provides the vehicle number and the proof of you having broken the law. A notice would be served to you on the basis of this alone. Every offence is recorded at the Centre and habitual offenders could face steep fines or even have their licenses revoked.
In addition there are 80 surveillance cameras which keep a watch on all kind of traffic violations.
2.YOU DRINK AND DRIVE or SPEED
The Bangalore traffic police have intensified their attack on all those who drink and drive. If you test positive for drunken driving then your vehicle would be seized and you would be required to come to court in person to pay your fines. Not only this, your offence would be recorded at a Enforcement Automation Center and can be accessed at any time by the inspectors. Remember that driving under the influence of liquor is a serious offence and can lead to driver being imprisoned. The same is the case for those who are found driving over the speed limits set. If found to be habitual offender the fines would not only increase but you stand to lose your driving license too.
3.YOU HAVE NOT PAID THE FINE
At the Enforcement Automation Center every offence and the penalty imposed is recorded. In case you have not paid the fine for the offence committed by you in the given period, the officers are alerted on their blackberry mobiles and they could confiscate your vehicle either from your premises or anywhere on the road.
The Bangalore traffic police have intensified their attack on all those who drink and drive. If you test positive for drunken driving then your vehicle would be seized and you would be required to come to court in person to pay your fines. Not only this, your offence would be recorded at a Enforcement Automation Center and can be accessed at any time by the inspectors. Remember that driving under the influence of liquor is a serious offence and can lead to driver being imprisoned. The same is the case for those who are found driving over the speed limits set. If found to be habitual offender the fines would not only increase but you stand to lose your driving license too.
3.YOU HAVE NOT PAID THE FINE
At the Enforcement Automation Center every offence and the penalty imposed is recorded. In case you have not paid the fine for the offence committed by you in the given period, the officers are alerted on their blackberry mobiles and they could confiscate your vehicle either from your premises or anywhere on the road.
4.YOU HAVE NOT TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP OF YOUR VEHICLE
It is illegal not to have transferred the ownership of the vehicle both when you buy it or sell it. not that but you could be the one being accused in case your vehicle which you sold is involved during a crime, an accident or even a terrorist activities.
You have 45 days to inform the concerned authorities of the transfer of ownership and get the papers in order. It is the responsibilities of both the buyer and the seller to get the transfers done
It is illegal not to have transferred the ownership of the vehicle both when you buy it or sell it. not that but you could be the one being accused in case your vehicle which you sold is involved during a crime, an accident or even a terrorist activities.
You have 45 days to inform the concerned authorities of the transfer of ownership and get the papers in order. It is the responsibilities of both the buyer and the seller to get the transfers done
ABSTRACT
Crossing the road is potentially one of
the most dangerous and stressful situations for vulnerable road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, chilsing
or reconstruction of an existing pedestrian crossing, a broader picture of the
traffic situation should be presented, in order to reach the right decisions.
Bangalore's low score implies that
vehicles seldom stop for pedestrians to cross a road and often halt on the
zebra crossing at signals leaving pedestrians with minimum or no space to cross
a road. At times, vehicles are driven on the footpaths, robbing the pedestrians
of their exclusive zone. More worrying is that the areas where schools are
located, too, fared equally badly.
dren,
handicapped persons and other. The most vulnerable are school children and
senior citizens. Pedestrian crossing construction or reconstruction should not
be done without proper planning; it must be planned in a wider perspective of
traffic situations, in order to increase traffic safety for all road users. All
proposed road crossings have to be sorted in order of priority, which depends
on many different criteria, measurable and non-measurable
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