Pelican Crossing in Kathmandu has started at 36 public places. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has begun a pedestrian-friendly traffic management system that lets them switch on green lights to cross the street.
The Pelican traffic management has been installed around 33 community schools and 3 community hospitals inside Kathmandu. The Pelican system is also known as an on-demand pedestrian crossing
The official launch follows its trial conducted inside the Municipality’s Central Office in Bagdarbar and Babarmahal. Also known as Pedestrian Light-Controlled Crossing, the Pelican Crossing system is expected to control jaywalking and help with better walking facilities for all pedestrians while crossing the city.
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What is Pelican Crossing?
Pelican Crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing where traffic is controlled by pedestrians turning on the switch installed across the road. When needed, pedestrians can turn on the switch to stop vehicles with a red traffic light and green for Zebra crossing.
According to the Traffic Management advisor for the metropolitan city Jagatman Shrestha, the under-trial crossing system is internationally practiced to facilitate children, physically impaired, and during emergency situations with an easier way for crossing the road.
Currently, the metropolitan is conducting various experiments to improve road safety, public transport system, night traffic, etc. The city has, likewise, stressed constructing pedestrian-friendly roads. Based on the results obtained, the best system is being studied and tested which will be finally implemented. Kathamndu government is also installing smart lights to improve safety and urban areas in the city.
How does Pelican crossing in Kathmandu work?
The Pelican traffic system in Kathmandu works by allowing the public to turn on the green light to cross the road. After the switch is turned on, it lights green to Zebra crossing for 60 seconds and blinks red towards the vehicles passing.
After switching on the green light, pedestrians can switch it on again after 1 to 2 minutes for crossing the road. The system follows the international guidelines.
Pelican traffic management has two purposes in particular. They are – facilitating children and patients to cross the road and imparting children practical awareness about road safety.
KMC implemented the Pelican system in 36 places which are more prone to accidents. The flexible traffic light system is expected to improve pedestrians and traffic management in the areas and reduce road accidents.
Smart Light system launched too
At the same time, the LMC government has also implemented a smart light system which is installed at places where Zebra crossing is drawn. The smart light-installed poles have a board with symbols. When one waves the hands toward the board, the light glows brighter serving with greater visibility on the road for both pedestrians and vehicles when needed. Such lights are operated by the remote server of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) in Nepal.
Advisor Shrestha said that now the Kathmandu Metropolitan will test the smart light system in more areas in the city.
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What other traffic management system can be adopted to make Kathmandu a smart city? Do suggest your valuable opinions in the comments section below.