FUTURE CITIES

Ensuring world class civic amenities in urban India

The Kidney-Spine
Traffic Project
TEAM MEMBERS:
SUBHRADEEP, SIDHANT, SOUMYA , SIDHARTH , ANUBHA
 Scope for urban development
in India by the year 2030
Global report India13: A Numbers Game
Growing share of cities in
Trillion $ capital Million square Billion square Km of metros Indias GDP out of 100%
investment is meters of meters of road and subways
necessary to commercial and will have to be need to be Rural Urban
meet demands in residential space paved. constructed.
Indian cities. needs to be built.

1.2 800 2.5 7400 46 54 58 69

Times the Million people Million urban Cities will have a

number by which will live in cities, households will population of 1 54 46 42
GDP would be that is twice the be middleclass, million plus, up 31
multiplied by population of US up from 22 from 40 today.
2030. by then. million today.
1990 2001 2008 2030
5 590 91 68
 Number of Registered Motor Vehicles (in million) Why we chose the problem of Indias traffic scenario

141.8
127.7
105.3
115
Number of accidents per lakh population increased

96.7
from 21.2 in 1970 to 22.8 in 1980, followed by a sharp

89.6
81.5
72.7
increase to 33.8 in 1990.

58.9
67
55
21.4
Between 1970 and 2010, there was an increase
5.4
1.9
0.7
0.3

of more than 100%

Nearly seventy percent of the urban

population is located in Class-I cities
No. of road accidents per lakh population in India (population of one hundred thousand and
more 18 cities of India).

42.5
42.4
42.3
41.9
41.4
50

39.9
39.8
39.4

39.4

39.3
38.9

38.8

38.8
38.6

38.2
38.1
34.6
33.8

Further 38 percent of the total urban

36
32.1
31.7

40 population is located in metropolitan cities

(population of one million and more)
22.8
21.2

30 numbering about thirty-five.

20
This heavy concentration of population in few
10 centers has resulted in the expansion of cities. With
over 130,000 deaths annually, India has overtaken
0 China and has the worst accident rate worldwide.
 Evolution of our concept
Current Traffic Issues
Decreasing safety Increasing number Lack of modern No segregation of
of vehicles leading Inefficient traffic
due to fast moving to congestion in infrastructure traffic at several
control at Signals
vehicles roads Facilities places

Existing methods and their shortcomings

Four way traffic systems: Flyovers: High cost, Lengthier Roundabouts: Geometric delays
Unnecessarily long waiting time, construction periods, unnecessary due to intersection between
delays, congestion, traffic jam. mess in situ due to construction. circular and straight lanes.

Our solution
A unique, four-way U-turn cum gyratory system with special allowance for Highway users.. (Devised as Twin-
Kidney/Spine System)
The Twin-Kidney Traffic system
A system which simplifies the present traffic scenario of India!
Key concepts at a glance:
The yellow part represents the
central island (Twin kidneys) and
the blue part is the road system.
The black lines are the indicators
to separate the two lanes from
NH each other, painted on the road.
The lane which shares one edge
with the island is the inner lane,
as shown.
The lane which is outermost
among the two lanes, is the
outer lane, as shown.
The central part of the island
consists of two special lanes
meant for quick highway passes.
There are four U-turns at the
four limbs of the island, used by
vehicles to move around it.
For pedestrians, paths can be
provided at the periphery of the
system near the U-turns.
It is a type of cyclic intersection or
junction in which road traffic is
slowed and flows almost
continuously in one direction
around a central island to several
exits onto the various intersecting
roads.
There are two main lanes in this
system, inner and outer. The inner
lane is a single lane allowing
vehicles to move in a line, back to
back. The outer is for the vehicles
intended to go straight or right.
At the four exit points, there are
elongated U-turns, designed for
smooth exiting of vehicles.
At the center of the island, there
are two special lanes designed so
as to allow vehicles from the local
roads to the highways, without
having to go around the U-turns,
thus saving time.
 Guidelines for the system
Vehicles move in a straight line, one
after another, in the single lanes.
A speed limit of 20 km/hr is to be
maintained when inside the island.
No one is allowed to voluntarily
stop while inside the island, except
at conflict points.
DRIVING LEGEND
For RIGHT turn, there are 2 variants
For a vehicle going RIGHT from local
lane to highway, it should first take
the inner lane, then the special
lane, and go right as shown.
For a vehicle going RIGHT from
highway to local lane, it should take
the inner lane, take two U-turns
and go right as shown.
For LEFT turn, a vehicle should take
the outer lane directly for a free
pass, as shown.
CONFLICT POINTS
U-Turn merges
Special Lane merges
DIVERGENCE POINTS
U-Turn diverges
NH Special Lane diverges
Conflict points are the points where
two single lanes converge into one
single lane.
Divergence points are points where
a single lane diverges into two single
lanes.
To accommodate vehicles from both
lanes when entering conflict points,
an alternate rule is to be followed,
which is explained in the next slide.
Pedestrian crossings are present
beyond the U-turns, as mentioned in
For STRAIGHT pass, a vehicle should one place as an example.
take the inner lane, take the
upcoming U-turn, and proceed
straight as shown.
 The Spine Traffic System
This is similar to the CONFLICT POINTS DIMENSIONS
Kidney system, the The dimensions are given in terms of a
variation is that instead U-Turn merges
variable a. The values are not to be scaled,
of a shorter right lane, Special Lane merges neither is expected to be rigid, and can be
there is a special modified by the concerned authorities.
straight lane for
Highway users to go
straight without having
to go around the U-turn.
For RIGHT turn, a
vehicle should take the
inner lane, take two U-
turns and go right as NH
shown.
For STRAIGHT pass
from highway, a vehicle
should take the straight
special lane designed
for highway users.
For STRAIGHT pass from
the local lane, a vehicle
should take the inner
lane, take the upcoming
U-turn, and proceed According to the alternate rule, vehicles from two
straight lanes mix into one single lane (at the conflict
points)by allowing one vehicle from each lane in
For LEFT turn, a vehicle alternate manner(as shown above), voluntarily
should take the outer with further reduced speed, so as to prevent
lane directly for a free disruption in uniformity.
pass, as shown.
 Merits of Kidney/Spine system in comparison to the existing traffic systems
Kidney/Spine
The number of conflict
points although is 12, but
due to alternate rule, it is
reduced to 6
Traffic slows rather
than stops, often resulting
in the acceptance of smaller
gaps.
Angle of conflict is reduced
to less than 30 degrees,
thus reducing accidents by a
large scale.
Overall delay will probably
be less than for an
equivalent four way system.
Maintenance costs include
landscape maintenance,
illumination, and occasional
sign replacement, which is
much lower
Four Way Traffic
The number of conflict
points is the maximum (32)
The traffic stops, and it
leads to unexpected
accidents.
Angle of conflict is 90
degrees, thus leading to
possibility of side-on
collisions.
Overall delay in waiting time
especially in busy cities is
very high.
Maintenance costs of
signalized intersections
include electricity,
maintenance of loops, signal
heads, controller, timing
plans, which is much higher.
Kidney/Spine Roundabout
The number of conflict
points although is 12, but There are more number of
conflict points (8) compared
due to alternate rule, it is
reduced to 6 to Kidney/Spine.
Angle of conflict is around
Angle of conflict is reduced
to less than 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and there is no
single lane-alternate rule
thus reducing accidents by a
large scale. that can be accommodated.
Therefore there is a
Single lane system and
possibility of accidents.
alternate rule reduces
accidents by large scale Entry and Exit from the
system is difficult because
Entry and exit from the
of lot of conflicts from many
traffic system is smooth
series.
because of U-Turns.
There is no special lane for
Kidney or Spine system has
quicker passes.
a special lane for highway
users for quicker passes.
 Implementation of the project
Funding Resources Rough Estimated Budget Human Resources

Increase in allowance Cost of expansion Experienced civil

for Transportation 25 lacs. engineers
revenue. Cost of raw materials A Number of
New tolling booths for (production) contractors as per
collecting tolls for this 30 lacs requirement
project. Cost of effective tools, Workers operating at
Trend of borrowing instruments and different levels
and leverage of funds devices Monitoring officers
for transportation 10 lacs Government agents
projects. Power, fuel and to create awareness
Public-Private transport cost through mass media
Partnerships (PPPs), 20 lacs and advertisements
involving the private Lighting Maintenance division
sector in project 5 lacs for check-up in
financing, Aesthetics and periodic schedule.
construction, maintenance cost
maintenance or 10 lacs
operation.
TOTAL ESTIMATE:
Focusing on fundings 1 crore
from the State
governments.
Impact of the system
Reduction in number and intensity
GENERAL of accidents, significance
reduction in traffic jam,
PUBLIC: conservation of valuable time.

EMPLOYMENT Traffic police jobs can be utilized in

other aspects/they can be
SCENARIO: promoted to monitoring sector.

Huge amount of money used for

GOVERNMENT flyovers is reduced to very low
terms. Cost of maintenance is
RESOURCES: reduced.
Challenges and Mitigation factors
Concept risk
Critical movement of vehicles at conflict points might lead to sideward or oblique collisions, although of
moderate magnitude.
Drivers may not like the geometric delays which force them to divert their cars from straight paths.
Longer paths increase travel distances for both pedestrians and bicyclists.

Implementation challenges
Installation/Modification of this system with already existing traffic arrangement might pose a big challenge
to the govt.
Extensive period of time for the common mass to get used to the rules of the system

Mitigation factors
Awareness about the new system by advertising in national channels
Ordered movement of vehicles at the conflict points by following the Alternate rule as mentioned
previously.
Proper lighting and use luminous paints for smooth functioning of traffic during night.
Proper, periodic monitoring system.
Suitable funding from government agencies like NHAI, NRRDA, AIRTA, etc.
Appropriate symbols and signs to be used at the requisite location in the kidney/spine.
REFERENCES
McKinsey Global Institute. (2010). Indias Urban Awakening: Building Inclusive Cities, Sustaining Economic
Growth. Retrieved from http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/urbanization/urban_awakening_in_india
Dhar, A. (2012, April 6). India will see highest urban population rise in next 40 years. The Hindu.
Ministry of road transport and Highways. (Government. of India.)
Road transport year book.(20009-10 & 2010-2011)
Urban India 2011: Evidence, Indian Institute for human settlements.
Traffic characteristics of India. Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol. 5, pp.
1009 - 1024, 2005.
Basic Road statistics of India.(2008-09,2009-10,2010-2011).(Government of India.)
Road Accidents in India 2010.Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Transport Research Wing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundabout
Motor Transport Statistics of India 1997-98, Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India
Census of India, 2001, http://www.censusindia.net

SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Photoshop 13.0.1.1
Microsoft Paint 2010