Lessons From London

For the past three and half months I stayed in London and this post is a consolidation of few things which I appreciate there and we can possibly emulate. This is neither out of any fascination for western world nor out of pessimistic syndrome (that we are like this only!!) but few simple and effective practices I have observed there.

Pedestrian Dignity:

 

One day I was walking on road and like a stupid, I tried to cross the road when there was a red signal (Out of my habits here). The vehicle driver stopped the car in the middle of road and gave me way with a beautiful smile. I was quite overwhelmed by the concern he has shown. I witnessed many such other occurrences which exemplify the courtesy and respect for pedestrians. Like Gandhi says, In any healthy society the person with least privileges should be accommodated.

The point I want to make here is that there should be provisions which make the life of a pedestrian easy. Never a day, I was able to walk in a busy road without some one throwing a horn at me ( Most of the times, for no reason. Just to vent their frustration ). Below are few actions which I recommend to enable pedestrian walk with dignity.

(1) To make it mandatory for the construction of footpaths ( Big enough that car holders and bikers can not get on to them!! ) and make it compulsory to develop foot paths on construction of new roads. Any vehicle driver plying on footpaths should be punishable.

(2) In the traffic signals, another signal should be added which gives the right for pedestrian to use the road 100%.

(3) In the traffic awareness programs, make it obligatory to cooperate and enable for young kids and senior citizens to cross the roads. This should develop a new culture of belongingness ( In the way there are few seats left out for Ladies and senior citizens in city busses).

(4) In the traffic awareness programs, educate people to use horn judiciously. If one observes little consciously, most of the times horn was used unwarrantedly on Hyderabad roads.

Utilization of Public transport:

 

Today, people are relying on public transport more by force and less by choice. If we make public transport hassle free and give a confidence to commuter that he will reach a given place in stipulated time then there is no reason why a commuter chooses other options. This helps the society in many ways.

(1) One interesting thing I observed is that there is one track dedicated for public transport (Buses and cabs). This can not be practiced on all roots but at least if there is a long route (for e.g. Hyderabad central to Secunderabad Patny center) dedicate few feet road which is enough for city buses to ply. Increase the number of buses to accommodate the increase in number of people.

(2) More the people opt for public transport Less will be the petty accidents happening on roads.

Greening Initiatives:

 

There are few simple practices to combat the crisis of climate change.

(1) As mentioned earlier make public transport attractive and consequently the number of bikes and cars plying on roads will reduce. This will contribute to the reduction of green house gas emitions.

(2) Arrange bins for putting recycle material (Say plastic covers, disposable glasses etc..) on roads for every one Km.

The same material can be reused rather than being reproduced.

(3) Develop a competition among shops and malls to contribute for the green cause. This can be quantified in things like how much percentage of the covers are being recycled. This can be innovative like keeping a minimal price to give a bag for things we buy. Give incentives for these shops who contribute for more recycling.

Please share your opinions on above post.