An aerial view of the Nga Tu So-Lang intersection. — VNA/VNS
HANOI (Vietnam/Asia News Network): The capital city began another pilot programme of traffic navigation at the Nga Tu So-Lang intersection, aiming to alleviate the long-term congestion.
Authorities added that the programme would continue being adjusted if the current strategy did not work.
During this programme, vehicles on Lang Street will not be allowed to turn left to Tay Son Street but must go past the intersection 760 metres and turn around at the designated spot on Truong Chinh Street.
From this point, motorists can go straight ahead for Lang Street or turn right for Tay Son Street.
Vehicles going from Nguyen Trai Street towards the intersection are also banned from going straight to Tay Son Street or turning left to Lang Street. Instead, they must go to the designated turning point on Truong Chinh Street on their right.
A turning spot under the overpass bridge on Tay Son Street is also open.
A representative from the city’s Traffic Police Team No 7 said that motorists who don’t comply with the regulations are all recorded and dealt with.
Tran Huu Bao, deputy director of the Hanoi transport department, said: “On days leading to Tết (Lunar New Year), traffic flows increase and exceed the capacity of several intersections. While there is congestion, there are no longer prolonged traffic jams.”
He added that the department was proposing the city’s People’s Committee officially implement the new flow directions following these pilot programmes while also reviewing all city routes for better traffic arrangement.
To optimise the organisation of traffic infrastructure, Hanoi transport department also suggested the People’s Committee acquire software for traffic simulation and measurement, which would serve as a visual analysis tool for better management.
These tools, along with the accompanying equipment such as fly cams, are expected to cost over VNĐ1 billion (US$42,600).
Nguyen Phi Thuong, director of the capital city’s transport department, said that the application of traffic simulation software would visually illustrate the current state of traffic flows and the planned arrangement and contribute to the optimal conditions for traffic planning.
On Hanoi’s efforts in rearranging the traffic Do Cao Phan, a lecturer at the Industrial University of HCM City, said that while the capital’s infrastructure cannot yet respond to the rise in the number of vehicles, traffic rearrangement is an immediate solution that could bring about fast results while is also cost-effective.
He said: “The people’s awareness plays a significant part in determining whether a traffic re-organising plan is successful.
