Hanoi re-organises traffic to curb traffic jams.

VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi authorities have re-organised traffic on some major roads in order to deal with traffic jams. However, the new measures haven’t helped in some cases and even caused difficulties for pedestrians.

The Hanoi Department of Transport used mobile barriers to block intersection points and open new intersections around 100-200m from the old intersections during peak hours.

As of June 1, the Hanoi Department of Transport began experimentally re-organising traffic on some roads that are centres of traffic jams in the city, namely Kim Ma, Nguyen Chi Thanh-Tran Duy Hung, Lang Ha-Le Van Luong, Nguyen Trai, Lieu Giai-Dao Tan and some others. These roads are wide and have many intersection points.

The agency used mobile barriers to block intersection points and open new intersections around 100-200m from the old intersections during peak hours. Vehicles are only allowed to turn right and turn back. There are two traffic police officers and two traffic inspectors at each intersection.

The measure is working well on Nguyen Chi Thanh road, which has a wide median. A traffic policeman in charge of this road said that his team can reduce the number of officers needed to patrol this road by 3-4.

On Nguyen Trai road, people didn't know whether they should move or stop in front of this traffic light system.

This measure has also worked well at the Bach Mai-Tran Khat Chan-Dai Co Viet-Hue intersection.

However, on other roads, traffic jams have simply moved to new intersections. It is said that the new method is only suitable for roads that have wide medians.

Moreover, traffic light systems are working at new intersections while there are no traffic lights or crosswalks for walkers at older intersections, making people confused. Many people have to climb over barriers at old intersections.

Hanoi chief transport inspector Thach Nhu Sy said that thanks to the new method, traffic jams have been solved at 11 points.

A walker climbing over a barrier on Nguyen Trai road.

“A new idea always has its advantages and disadvantages. We will send our staff members to these sites to survey. We will try to deal with the current problems,” Sy said.

According to traffic police department, Hanoi has 124 points of traffic jams, around 200 intersections which have traffic lights, accounting for 30% of the total intersections in the city (except for the expanded area).

The city has spent nearly 4 billion dong, equivalent to $235,000, to re-organise traffic at some roads and intersections.