Users’ perception of travel demand management (TDM) measures in alleviating traffic congestion for Dhaka City

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the perception of road users as well as of transport officials about the causes of road traffic congestion in Dhaka city and also to identify the most promising travel demand management (TDM) measures which can be used as tools to alleviate the severe traffic congestion. Two different types of opinion surveys were conducted in this study. Road user survey was conducted among 1100 city travelers. The sample included people from different occupation, gender, age groups, educational and economic background so as to make it a representative one. To augment the findings of the survey, a separate study was also conducted among the transport officials/specialists. Nineteen (19) transport specialists working in various reputed government/private organizations took part in that survey. The survey questionnaire for the road users were closed end type. It had 20 questions each having multiple choices of answers along with some additional spaces for endorsing supplementary points. On the other hand, questionnaire for the transport officials/specialists were open ended type that invited new/innovative ideas. Moreover, a good number of resource personnel were also consulted and interviewed for their valuable opinions which enriched the findings of the survey. From the results of the survey, it was seen that the top five major causes of traffic congestion in Dhaka as identified by the road users are excessive population density (65% support), unplanned urbanization and absence of control in land use (64% support), excessive growth of private cars (62% support), abrupt road side parking (59% support) and poor traffic management system (53% support). When asked about how the severe road traffic congestion could be controlled, majority (68%) of the respondents suggested for adopting various supply expansion measures while a relatively lesser segment (59%) recommended for measures like strict implementation of traffic regulations, parking management and control. Among various TDM actions, maximum support (84%) was obtained by the concept of introducing group buses by different companies/educational institutions. Establishing an integrated public/mass transport system combining bus, commuter rail, metro rail and the water ways attained 81% support, followed by the improvement of taxi cab services ensuring their movements in compliance with meter readings which attained 79% support. Promotion of a good walking environment, developing existing footpaths, evicting vendors and preventing further occupation of footpaths (75% support), increasing road crossing facilities and ensuring a secured law and order situation (66% support) and establishing an efficient waste removal system clearing road side waste beans regularly to maintain a congenial walking environment (60% support) are some important steps supported by the road users. To implement parking management and control in Dhaka, actions like not providing clearance in any development work without having sufficient parking spaces (73% support), stringent enforcement against parking violations (72% support), construction of park and ride facilities at distant satellite towns (66% support) and construction of multistoried parking lots at CBD areas (59% support) attained considerable amount of support from the road users. Other issues include discouraging provision of single vehicles for the officials (66% support), promoting tele-work by provisioning uninterrupted high speed internet service all over the country at low cost (64% support), erection of bicycle lanes and bicycle parks to promote cycling (56% support), introducing sector wise alternative work schedule in various offices (51% support) etc. Some issues earned significantly lower public response that include increasing fuel price/ banning the use of CNG for private cars and increasing parking charges for private cars (16% and 27% support respectively), controlling the number and use of rickshaws (35% support) and fixing high tax on private car purchase/operation (39% support). The major findings of the research also show that significant portions of the road users along with the transport specialists are eager to see implementation of some of the TDM strategies that were considered in this study. Issues like development of public/mass transport facilities, employer based initiative like provisioning group bus by various educational institutions/companies, promote walking environment by provisioning spacious foot paths and road crossing facilities, parking management and discouraging abrupt on-street parking and incorporating telework by provisioning high speed uninterrupted internet facilities at considerably low cost should be undertaken immediately by the government which will reduce rickshaw/car based daily trips improving the congestion scenario considerably. The transport specialists recommended the need of a strong, visionary and knowledge based political leadership, creation of public awareness by utilizing mass media and changing the mindset of the road users, formulating new policies solving legal and policy related obstructions, ensuring proper enforcement of existing rules, strong drive against corruption and decentralization of government machineries out of Dhaka to various divisional headquarters for successful implementation of TDM strategies.