The first-ever musical road in India has been launched to provide a unique rhythmic experience to drivers while they drive through the new project located along an ordinary stretch of highway in India. The musical road will use sound when vehicles pass over rumble strips which were specially designed to create an effect similar to that of the song “Jai Ho” from the film “Slumdog Millionaire” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
This innovative idea combines safety with an artistic cultural component by creating an enjoyable way of traveling and helping to keep drivers alert while they are traveling along the highway.
How the Musical Road Works?
The acoustic performance was achieved by making grooves cut into the road at equal distances apart so that when vehicles travel along the grooves with a specific speed (the optimum speed is generally between 40–50 km/h) the sound created from the vibrations between the vehicles’ tyres and the grooves produces musical notes.
The commonality of the grooves has been measured and located in a way that will reproduce the tone and rhythm of the song ‘Jai Ho’. When a driver drives at the recommended speed, they can hear the melody as they move across the grooves; when they exceed the recommended speed the tune becomes distorted, thus encouraging the driver to drive within the prescribed speed limit.
According to transport officials, the design is two-fold and is used for both entertaining drivers and promoting safe driving behaviour.
Promoting Road Safety through Innovation
Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents; therefore, the musical road concept has the potential to provide psychological speed control.
Instead of relying solely on speed limit signs and speed bumps to regulate speed, the musical section of the road rewards drivers who remain at the designated speed by providing a clear, melodious sound. Conversely, drivers who travel either too fast or too slow will not hear the melody clearly, thereby reinforcing the speed discipline.
Transport authorities have indicated that this innovative design seeks to reduce accident rates by increasing driver awareness, especially in relation to extended journey durations on the route; when drivers drive for an extended time on a highway, their speed of concentration diminishes relative to their journey duration.
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Why ‘Jai Ho’?
The selection of “Jai Ho” represents a great deal of meaning. The tune, written by A.R. Rahman, is the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Original Song 2009, and is one of India’s most well-known musical accomplishments around the globe.
According to reports, the officials chose the song based on their desire to create a sense of pride and good feelings in the country. The upbeat tempo of “Jai Ho” is consistent with the innovative and progressive spirit of the development of the project.
Influenced by Global Trends
The existence of Musical Roads is not unprecedented; other countries around the world, including Japan, the United States, Hungary, and South Korea have tried similar projects. However, this is the first time Musical Roads have been introduced in India.
Musical Roads around the globe have been known to improve driver awareness, decrease speeding, and help make roads safer. By implementing this type of project, India has joined a small number of other countries who use music to create Smart Infrastructure.
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Public Reaction and Future Prospects
The Musical Highway has already generated much excitement and interest through various forms of entertainment including drivers sharing videos of themselves playing “Jai Ho” while travelling the roadway and posting those videos on social media.
Authorities are collecting public comment as well as assessing whether the road will continue to regulate and ensure safety for drivers. The program’s success could potentially lead to similar musical sections being added to highways throughout the country. Meanwhile, drivers using NH 48 now have an experience that is uniquely Indian; driving on a highway that celebrates innovation and provides safer travels through the music of Jai Ho.
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