Unclogging Dhaka city intersections

Whose right of way? More like 'right away'

Traffic Management: Lesson 1

Today marks the first in a series of traffic management articles that I will undertake – designed for the streets of my hometown Dhaka (and executable in all the other cities across the nation).

Just as anyone stuck in traffic has done time immemorial – I too have studied the traffic around me and been honed into an 'expert' in traffic management.

But before I go any further, I want to add that the difference between me and most self-trained (and self-professed) 'idle' traffic management experts, is that I have never designed traffic management situations in my mind as a fancy pass time or just a product of a burst of sudden insight; only to be forgotten by the next red light for another 'light bulb' moment.


I have been a keen observer of traffic movement scenarios from many parts of the world I have had the good fortune to visit. These include highly industrialised and developed economies to more humble environment.

I have been stuck in traffic in many parts of the world and watched what has set me free – and yes, while roads and alternative routes do make a big difference in how traffic moves and the rate of movement, nine times out of ten it has been strong rules coupled with basic driver's etiquette.

Dhaka could do wonders with the basic 'STOP' signs and 'YIELD' signs in place. People have to allow for others to move as well. Nine times out of ten, most cases of traffic jams in Dhaka can be attributed to that last one driver at the end blocking passage for others at the crucial intersection.

Ironically the offending driver sits and watches the chaos behind him through his rear view mirror thinking that thanks to his 'skill' and his 'foresight' he wasn't caught in the quagmire (which he is actually responsible for!).

Lesson #1: Waiting to go – is lost on such drivers. If the people behind the wheel wait until there is space to safely go forward he would find that the traffic moves slowly but is never at a complete standstill (aside for the intermittent red lights).

The solution is to designate ALL intersections 'no-stop' zones such that no vehicles can be at a standstill at those points. Additionally stopping at these designated 'no-stop' zones should be a spot finable offence, i.e. the traffic sergeant can (and will) impose a spot fine on the driver for the offence should he pose a deterrent to smooth traffic movement.

'No-stop' zones should be such that cars will obey the traffic light but ONLY if there is space ahead to proceed – which may mean even having to wait it out and not move forward on a green because there is no space to go ahead. While it seems that one would never move, given driver etiquette and a penchant to follow the rules I know that one will be very surprised at its effectiveness.

Can't agree? Have a better solution? Leave a comment.