In order to give passengers immediate access to vital information while they are traveling, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to shortly put project information signboards with QR codes throughout the national highway network. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways made the news in a press release, stating that the initiative’s goals are to improve transparency and guarantee “ease of commuting” for highway users.
The statement states that project-specific information, including the national highway number, chainage, project duration, and the length of the construction and maintenance phases, will be shown on the vertical QR code signboards. Along with the contact information of important officials like the highway patrol, toll manager, project manager, resident engineer, and NHAI field offices, travelers will also have access to emergency helpline numbers, including 1033.
The QR codes will also provide digital access to local emergency and utility services, such as hospitals, gas stations, restrooms, police stations, restaurants, auto repair shops, truck lay-bys, toll plazas, and electric car charging stations. The action is intended to increase road safety and assist commuters in locating necessary assistance in the event of an emergency.
NHAI intends to erect the signboards at strategic locations along highways, including toll plazas, rest areas, truck lay-byes, wayside facilities, and the beginning and ending sites of highway segments, in order to improve visibility.
According to the ministry, “the QR code signboards will go a long way in improving user experience and awareness about National Highways across the country, in addition to providing specific information about the National Highway stretches and enhancing transparency.” They will also improve road safety by improving access to emergency and local information.
