The Melodic Innovation
Mumbai has introduced a groundbreaking feature along its Coastal Road: a 500-meter stretch designed to play music as vehicles pass. Located between Priyadarshini
Park and Amarsons Garden, this innovative road is engineered to belt out tunes of the Oscar-winning song 'Jai Ho' when driven over at approximately 80 kmph. Touted as India's inaugural 'melody road,' its unveiling was a notable event, aiming to add an engaging and culturally relevant dimension to daily commutes. The primary motivation behind this project is to infuse joy, foster engagement, and cultivate cultural pride among travelers, with aspirations to also attract tourism to the area. This initiative represents a novel approach to urban infrastructure, blending technological advancement with artistic expression to enhance the commuter experience and create a more vibrant city.
Science Behind the Sound
The creation of a musical road relies on a fascinating application of engineering principles. Specially designed grooves, or ribs, are embedded into the road's surface. As a vehicle's tires roll over these precisely spaced and width-varied ribs, friction generates vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted through the wheels to the car's body, creating distinct musical notes. The spacing of the ribs directly influences the pitch of the notes produced: closer spacing results in higher tones, while wider spacing yields lower tones. For the melody to be optimally perceived, drivers must maintain a specific, consistent speed, aligning with the road's intended frequency. Experts also emphasize the importance of environmental factors, such as wind conditions and surrounding structures, in ensuring the clarity and integrity of the generated sound, necessitating careful analysis of the location to minimize external noise interference.
A Global Symphony
The concept of musical roads is not entirely new, with its origins tracing back to 1995 in Denmark when artists Steen Krarup Jensen and Jakob Freud-Magnus developed the 'asphaltophone.' However, it was in Japan, over a decade later, that the idea truly gained traction and popularity. Japanese engineer Shizuo Shinoda's accidental discovery in 2007, where road rumblings produced music, spurred widespread implementation. Japan adopted this technology across over 30 locations, not only for entertainment but also to enhance road safety by helping drivers stay alert. Since then, similar musical stretches have been established globally, including in South Korea, Hungary, Taiwan, the UAE, and the United States. Notably, some musical roads have been relocated due to noise pollution concerns, as exemplified by a case in California where a road was moved to a more secluded area after complaints surfaced regarding noise traveling up to half a mile.
Indian Debut and Reception
The Mumbai musical road, developed at a cost of Rs 6.21 crore, marks India's inaugural venture into this unique technology. The project was a collaborative effort between Routes Worldwide India and UTKOPRO Kft. from Hungary, with implementation overseen by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a team of Hungarian technical experts. The idea was initially proposed by former Mumbai South Central MP Rahul Shewale. Officials selected the Coastal Road for its suitability, citing the need for a smooth, relatively traffic-free surface conducive to consistent travel speeds between 60-80 kmph, which is ideal for the technology. Despite the innovative intent, the road quickly became a subject of public amusement and criticism. Within days of its opening, residents from the adjacent Breach Candy area voiced concerns to the municipal commissioner about noise pollution, disturbance, and potential safety hazards posed by auditory distractions on a high-speed road. Their letter highlighted that drivers might slow down unexpectedly or become distracted, creating avoidable safety risks.
