PUNE: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal (PMPML) is considering installing a buzzer alarm system, among other measures, to alert drivers after a series of daytime accidents involving two-wheeler riders crashing into boom barriers set up recently in two BRTS corridors.
Around eight-nine such accidents have taken place in the past few days, said PMPML officials. “We are considering using technology to tackle the problem. One idea being considered is to install a buzzer alarm system. The alarm will go off, alerting drivers, when any other vehicle, apart from PMPML buses, enter the BRTS corridor. Another solution is to come up with a non-static boom barrier, which will move after being hit,” Dattatraya Zende, BRTS manager, PMPML, told TOI.
The official said initial studies have pointed towards motorists crashing into boom barriers after being blinded by sunlight. “Four of the eight barriers set up at the Kiwale-Sangvi corridor have been damaged due to accidents and are under repairs. On Thursday, a two-wheeler hit the barrier near the Sathe Biscuit bus stand, damaging it. In almost all cases, those involved in accidents are two-wheeler drivers. They tend to speed into the corridors and fail to slow down after coming across the barrier,” Zende said.
“A request for proposal has been sought for installing 148 boom barriers in all the corridors and a tender will be floated shortly,” the BRTS manager said.
Another official said that accidents in BRTS corridors had forced them to depute guards. “By the time the guards alert the motorists, they have already hit the barrier,” he said.
