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India's Highways Get a Safety Overhaul
22 Sep
Summary
- New rules mandate no median openings or at-grade intersections on high-speed highways.
- Flush medians with wire ropes or crash barriers will replace concrete dividers.
- Advance exit signs at 5 km, 2 km, 1 km, and 500 metres are now required.
India has introduced stringent new design and safety standards for upcoming access-controlled high-speed national highways. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has mandated the removal of median openings and at-grade intersections, aiming to eliminate conflict points and reduce crash risks on roads designed for speeds up to 100 kmph.
These new guidelines will apply to all future four-lane and six-lane greenfield and brownfield access-controlled highways. Instead of raised concrete dividers, these roads will feature flush medians equipped with wire ropes or crash barriers. To improve driver anticipation, exit signs will be strategically placed at 5 km, 2 km, 1 km, and 500 metres before each exit.
The updated framework also allows for lane configurations and right-of-way adjustments (60 or 70 metres) based on detailed traffic projections. This initiative supports India's goal to develop approximately 50,000 km of access-controlled high-speed corridors, establishing consistent technical standards for the nation's expanding road network.
