Road repairs in Baku – including the remarking of lane lines and the establishment of lanes for vehicles – are accompanied by the narrowing of traffic lanes.
There are many complaints from passenger car drivers regarding the lane markings and the resulting road structures.
In response to an inquiry from Modern.az by AYNA, it was stated that the width of road lanes is determined based on the requirements of existing norms and rules, as well as international urban planning and road safety practices:
“Particularly, the selection of the optimal lane width in dense urban environments aims to regulate speed limits, increase driver attention, and enhance overall road traffic safety.
In international practice, excessively wide road lanes are considered one of the factors contributing to increased speed and a higher risk of accidents. Narrowed, yet normatively compliant lanes prevent sudden maneuvers and uncontrolled acceleration.
The impact of road lane narrowing is determined through medium and long-term observations. In international practice, a reduction in severe road traffic accidents, particularly a decrease in the risk of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, is observed after such changes. Accident statistics can be influenced by a number of factors, not only lane width, but also traffic intensity, speed regime, vehicle composition, parking conditions, and driver behavior”.
An AYNA official added that currently, the collection, analysis, and dynamic evaluation of accident statistics for specific areas are being carried out by relevant state bodies:
“Based on these indicators, additional organizational and administrative decisions can be made if necessary”.
Speaking to our website about Baku's road infrastructure, Bulud Bağırov, Senior Lecturer at the "Transport" Faculty of AzMİU, stated that within the framework of recent repair and reconstruction works carried out on Baku's streets, the width of traffic lanes has been reduced in some areas:
“These changes primarily aim to increase road traffic safety, strengthen control over speed limits, and ensure the comfort of pedestrians and other road users, which is a very relevant observation.
Narrowed traffic lanes on roads can be a purposeful measure from both an engineering and safety perspective, but driver dissatisfaction often arises at such times. As for the reasons, primarily with the aim of reducing traffic speed, narrow lanes compel drivers to be more cautious, which in turn reduces the risk of accidents.
During repairs, sidewalks or bicycle lanes may be widened at the expense of some traffic lanes to allocate space for pedestrians and cyclists”.
He noted that from a technical standpoint, road contours may be altered for the purpose of reconstructing the road's drainage or curb line, to facilitate rainwater discharge and strengthen curbs:
“Transverse narrowing after repairs can cause discomfort for several reasons: Drivers are accustomed to the previous width, and now the road visually appears “compressed”. Changing lanes and turning becomes more difficult, especially for large vehicles. Narrow lanes create a sense of discomfort and danger for drivers, which increases road stress. If roadside parking remains permitted after repairs, the traffic area narrows further. During repairs, new curbs or sidewalk lines appear distinct and sharp, making the narrowing more noticeable; The smooth asphalt surface and new markings alter the driver's visual perception — the previous sense of “spaciousness” is lost. If road markings or delineation are not properly established, this makes the narrowing feel excessive.
If the narrowing is not purposeful from an engineering perspective, meaning road markings are not properly regulated, this could be a technical error. However, in the case of purposeful narrowing, the municipality or road authority should implement driver education and visual warnings”.
