Statistical Evaluation of Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Pollution on S.G. Highway, Ahmedabad

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and increasing vehicle ownership have significantly strained Ahmedabad’s transportation infrastructure, particularly along the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar (S.G.) Highway—one of the city’s most vital arterial corridors. This study presents a comprehensive statistical evaluation of traffic congestion, accident patterns, environmental impact, public transport usage, and commuter perception along this route. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating primary data (manual vehicle counts, Air Quality Index [AQI], noise level measurements, and structured surveys) with secondary data sourced from government records and news reports. Quantitative analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel and Jamovi, applying t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation to uncover statistically significant patterns and associations. Key findings indicate that weekday peak-hour traffic volume is significantly higher than on weekends, with intersections such as SomnathChowk and Thaltej consistently experiencing the highest congestion. A strong positive correlation was found between traffic volume and both AQI and noise levels, underscoring severe environmental concerns. Survey results revealed that over 75% of respondents experience daily congestion, largely due to vehicle overflow and commercial-area crowding. While public dissatisfaction was high, chi-square tests showed no significant association between demographic variables (age, gender, occupation) and transport mode preference or congestion impact, suggesting the issue is widespread. The study concludes with recommendations for optimizing signal timings, expanding public transport infrastructure, enforcing pollution controls, and addressing accident-prone zones through engineering interventions. By offeringa data-driven and multi-dimensional understanding of traffic behavior, this research provides actionable insights for urban planners, traffic authorities, and policymakers aiming to improve mobility, safety, and environmental sustainability along the S.G. Highway.

Introduction

Rapid urbanization and population growth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, have severely strained the city's transportation infrastructure, particularly along the key Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway (S.G. Highway). This corridor connects vital residential, educational, and commercial zones but suffers from heavy traffic congestion, high accident rates, and environmental degradation such as air and noise pollution. Recent data shows a sharp increase in vehicle registrations and traffic accidents, highlighting deficiencies in traffic management, including poor signal coordination and lack of dedicated public transport lanes.

This study aims to fill gaps in current research by performing a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of traffic conditions along the S.G. Highway. It combines primary data (vehicle counts, air quality, noise measurements, surveys) and secondary data (accident records) to statistically assess congestion patterns, accident hotspots, environmental impacts, and public transport usage. Methods include ANOVA, t-tests, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses.

Key findings reveal:

• Traffic peaks during weekday mornings and evenings, with significantly higher volumes on weekdays than weekends.

• Congestion varies significantly across major intersections (Thaltej, Gurudwara, SomnathChowk), with some areas experiencing much heavier traffic.

• Morning and evening peak traffic volumes are statistically similar.

• Environmental pollution along the corridor exceeds safe limits, and traffic safety remains a critical issue.

The study highlights the urgent need for targeted, location- and time-specific traffic management interventions, such as signal optimization, dedicated bus lanes, and smart traffic technologies to improve mobility, safety, and sustainability along this critical urban corridor.

Conclusion

A well-designed and efficiently managed S.G. Highway can significantly contribute to the economic development, social welfare, and environmental sustainability of Ahmedabad. By adopting a holistic and inclusive approach to transportation planning, stakeholders can work toward developing a safer, more efficient, and sustainable corridor that benefits all users. A. Public Transport Utilization Based on the findings related to public transport use, the following recommendations are proposed: • Enhance public transportation services by increasing the frequency and reliability of buses. • Upgrade supporting infrastructure such as bus shelters and pedestrian pathways to improve commuter experience. • Promote multimodal integration to encourage a shift from private to public transport. B. Air and Noise Pollution Based on AQI and noise pollution data, the following measures are suggested: • Enforce strict emission regulations for both industries and vehicles to control air pollution. • Promote the use of clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. • Encourage green cover and noise barriers along traffic-dense zones to mitigate environmental stress. C. Peak Hour Congestion Patterns The study reveals that peak hour congestion on S.G. Highway remains a major concern: • Morning peak hours (9:00 AM–11:00 AM) show maximum congestion, with vehicle speeds dropping to 20–30 km/h. • Evening peak hours (6:00 PM–8:00 PM) also exhibit significant slowdowns, with speeds ranging from 25–35 km/h. • Primary bottlenecks include intersections, bus stops, and ongoing roadwork zones. To address these issues: • Optimize traffic signal timings to reduce delays and streamline flow. • Expand road capacity where feasible and eliminate critical bottlenecks. • Promote public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles during peak hours. D. Accident Statistics and Black Spot Management: Findings related to accident-prone zones suggest the following interventions: • Improve intersection designs by adding clear signage, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, and turning lanes. • Implement safety measures such as speed cameras, rumble strips, and improved street lighting at high-risk areas. • Enforce traffic laws related to speed limits and reckless driving more strictly. • Conduct public awareness campaigns to educate drivers about road safety practices. By implementing these evidence-based strategies, authorities and planners can enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and promote a sustainable and commuter-friendly environment on S.G. Highway.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Krisha Kalathiya, Rahi Chaudhari, Bhumi Makwana, Manthan Patel, Rahulkumar Meena, Parth Rathod. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.