Application of Occasional Movable Free Standing Road Dividers for Traffic Flow Improvement in Dhaka City

Dhaka is struggling with intense traffic congestion due to rapid, unplanned development, leading to an imbalance between transport demand and available infrastructure. The traffic woes have extended beyond mere inconvenience, significantly impacting the environment. The city experiences two distinct peak periods of congestion. The first peak arises from the daily movement of office workers, business personnel, and schoolchildren during their commutes, while the second is driven by shoppers heading to and from commercial areas. Traffic studies reveal that during peak hours, congestion is prevalent in all directions, with some routes bearing a heavier load than others. One proposed solution to address this imbalance is the implementation of a movable road divider. This innovative approach would enable a dynamic allocation of road space, directing more capacity to the busier lanes and easing the traffic flow during critical times. The effectiveness of such a system could also extend to holiday seasons, such as Eid and Durga Puja, when the city's traffic patterns undergo significant changes. During these times, outbound traffic from Dhaka surges before the holidays, while inbound traffic increases afterward. By adjusting the road divider to accommodate these shifts, the city could ensure a smoother flow of vehicles, reducing delays and alleviating the strain on its road infrastructure. Adjusting the divider to favor the less congested side during these periods would improve traffic flow by providing more space for the heavier traffic.