The KKH (Karakoram Highway) connects Pakistan with the contiguous country of China which is often hailed as one of the “Eighth Wonders of the World”. This vital arterial road supports tourism, trade and daily commutes between the two neighbouring countries. The NHA has averted the significant role of this highway into a perilous road for travellers and transporters by reckless installation of controversial metallic reflective cat’s eye (studs) at various places on KKH as speed breakers. While originally these studs were made to separate lanes and indicate the diversion of roads to enhance the visibility of road junctions.
Indeed, it is a tale of woe that, in this country, it is a general practice of concerns defying the international traffic rules where these studs are being commissioned at erroneous spots on the highway. consequently, the implications of such deleterious acts often pose serious threats which sometimes cause bursts of tyres and result in serious accidents with all types of vehicles and even sometimes result in fatalities. This practice not only defies the intended purpose of the NHA but also contradicts court rulings as well as it is being a violation of international traffic rules and engineering literature which demands immediate intervention from concerned authorities and removal of these inexpedient studs from the KKH with the replacement of some appropriate safe and secure speed breakers.
Metallic cat’s eye studs, also known as raised pavement markers or road studs, were patented in 1934 by British inventor Percy Shaw who was inspired by the reflective eyes of a cat against the headlights of motor vehicles. These devices typically consist of a strong, resistant which fabricated with durable material, i.e. Aluminium or Cast Iron, embedded with twin tiny glass reflectors that bounce light back to the driver of the vehicle, improving visibility in low-light conditions, especially in foggy and dusky atmospheres as well as rainy days. The standard applications of such studs are to mark lane boundaries, centrelines, road edges and junctions.
According to International standards, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the European (EN), they classify them as passive safety devices and treat them as guidance tools rather than speed control devices. In Pakistan, NHA approves products like the cat’s eyes made of plastic (E-LITE P21) for lane marking on main highways which include the KKH whereas, such studs magnify the navigation in mountainous and poorly lit sections of the road. However, metallic variants are durable enough to withstand heavy trucks and snowploughs. Thus, it is a potent reality that they are not meant for sharp speed reduction of the vehicles.
NHA’s deployment of these studs as speed bumps on the KKH constitutes an illegal & misuse of a modern technology rather providing a safety and visibility aid for the drivers, it transforms into a great hazard. On the KKH between Gilgit to Hunza, studs are placed closely at curves, villages and checkpoints to force speed reduction, leveraging their raised edges for a rumble effect. This practice is adopted in difficult terrains while costing more than regular rumble strips and still deviating from international highway standards which prohibit obstacles on main highways. Reports indicate that dislodged studs have caused punctures of tires, skids and severe injuries particularly for motorcyclists. The risk is worsened by the fact that in Gilgit-Baltistan, many vehicles running on the roads have repaired and vulcanised tires due to economic constraints which makes them even more vulnerable to rapid damage from these studs. An incident in 2014, on a Pakistani road, where a loose stud led to a motorcyclist’s head injury. Despite global rejection of such practices, other countries opt for rumble strips or no physical barriers on highways whereas, NHA persists in ignoring safety.
Pakistani courts have repeatedly ruled that this practice is illegal. On 10th March 2020, Gujrat’s District and Sessions Court, presided over by Judge Syed Muzaffar Shah directed authorities to remove studs from all district roads following a writ petition. The court issued arrest warrants for non-compliant officials and highlighted public complaints about excessive wear on vehicles. Yet, on the federally managed KKH under NHA enforcing the lag perpetuated the illegality.
Engineering literature further nullifies the use of cat’s eye studs as speed bumps. A 2014 study in the International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration analysed vehicle dynamics over cat’s eye reflectors and concluded that they are ineffective for urban or highway speed control, causing discomfort at low speeds without providing meaningful reduction at higher ones. Likewise, a 2022 Egyptian study in the Journal of Engineering and Applied Science found that while road studs can slightly slow traffic on local roads, they are less effective than speed humps on highways and may even cause vehicle instability. These studies advocate for purpose-built measures and deem studs unsuitable as primary speed bumps.
To resolve this issue, NHA should adopt evidence-based measures. Speed cameras must be installed with the support of National Highways and Motorway Police along the KKH to ticket violators. This method has already proven effective in developed countries that enforce speed limits without creating physical hazards. For urban zones like Gilgit city, rubber speed humps and flexible alternatives should be deployed to slow down speeding vehicles. Moreover, to design speed limits while minimising damage as they absorb impact better than rigid studs. These humps made from recycled rubber are cost-effective and align with sustainable practices.
It is suggested that the Federal Minister Aleem Khan and Hon’ble Chief Judge of the Chief Court G-B, Justice Ali Baig, ought to address such a serious issue. The Federal Minister should direct the NHA to audit and remove misused studs, prioritising camera installations and rubber humps in towns. Albeit, the Chief Judge could initiate a Suo Motu notice and enforce court precedents province-wide to safeguard lives. With tourism booming in Gilgit-Baltistan, safer roads are not just a necessity that is a promise to residents and visitors alike. Failure to act can risk increasing more tragedies on this iconic highway.
The post Replacement of deleterious studs from KKH is essential appeared first on The Financial Daily.
