Analysing Traffic Congestion Problems In Colombo City Tourism Essays

Analysing Traffic Congestion Problems In Colombo City Tourism Essays Analysing Traffic Congestion Problems In Colombo City Tourism Essay Analysing Traffic Congestion Problems In Colombo City Tourism Essay It is a much known fact nowadays that the traffic congestion in Colombo has increased to a degree that most of the forces runing in Colombo metropolis bounds get disturbed in their twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours activities. Further it has come to the visible radiation that the traffic accidents in Colombo metropolis country besides have been increased during the recent yesteryear to a considerable sum chiefly due to this congestion. Out of the overall figure of traffic accidents reported within the state the most Numberss are reported from Colombo metropolis bounds. Number of lives lost due to these accidents can non be considered in light whilst minor graduated table accidents reported bases at big. Unreported Numberss of minor graduated table accidents are non known but would be every bit double as the figure of reported. Troubles faced by the automobilists, walkers, traffic constabulary functionaries and by and large the populace in Colombo country due to this traffic congestion are really high. The twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours life of the general populace such as go toing their office responsibilities, go toing kids to schools, go toing other domestic personal businesss are acquiring disturbed to a great extent due to the unanticipated holds they are compelled to see at roads caused by traffic congestion barricading the smooth vehicle motions in Colombo metropolis. This is by and large wastage of countless figure of man-hours of working people, fring one million millions of rupees of income to the Gross National Product. It is a known fact that the highest figure of vehicles, comparative to the other metropoliss in Sri Lanka, runing in Colombo metropolis. Reason for the same is Colombo is the chief metropolis in Sri Lanka to where big figure of people travel daily to make their occupations, send most figure of kids to the big figure of taking schools located within the metropolis. Further the Colombo seaport is situated within the Colombo metropolis bounds ensuing a big figure of vehicle motions for transit of goods. Most figure of star category tourers hotels located in a individual metropolis is Colombo ensuing big figure of vehicle motions in between Bandaranayke International Airport, Katunayaka and Colombo. Generally the chief commecial metropolis of Sri Lanka is Colombo and as a consequence of that about all the forces populating at wherever the state are compelled to come to Colombo for some ground which increase the vehicle congestion in Colombo metropolis bounds. 4. When a big figure of vehicles are runing within a limited country in Colombo metropolis, it is obvious that the figure of traffic accidents could be at a higher rate comparative to the figure of accidents happened in other metropoliss in Sri Lanka. But in this context what is of import to be researched is the grounds for those big figure of accidents. The sum of vehicle operating in Colombo metropolis would non be a good ground for any of the citizen of this state to be met with a traffic accident and to acquire injured or to be killed. This being the state of affairs clip has come to analyse the causes lending to the addition of traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis and to come up with feasible solutions to turn to this job which will in bend be good to the future chances of Colombo metropolis, every bit good as the state as a whole. Chapter 2 Methodology Purpose 5. The purpose of this research paper is to analyse the major causes which lending to the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis bounds and to come up with executable steps to make a smooth traffic motion in Colombo metropolis bounds as an illustration for the remainder of the metropoliss in the state. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 6. Addition of traffic congestion within the Colombo metropolis bounds at a drastic rate within a really short period of clip has non merely resulted the general public operating in the Colombo metropolis to see unanticipated troubles at roads but besides to be ended up at sometime with human deaths or losingss of lives. The continuation in the addition of rate of traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis would go a major load for the automobilists, walkers, traffic constabulary functionaries and all the communities runing in Colombo metropolis and besides will convey negative impacts to the development of Colombo every bit good as the state unless addressed consistently. This research is to place the major causes which have contributed for the addition of traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis and to urge executable steps to cut down the same. THE RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS 7. Improper driving wonts of the automobilists who do non adhere to the traffic ordinances is hypnotized as the chief cause for the addition of motor traffic congestion in Colombo. Scope OF THE STUDY 8. The range of the survey is to confined to the automobilists, walkers and traffic constabulary functionaries runing in Colombo metropolis bounds to place their positions and attitudes towards the increased rate of traffic accidents in Colombo. The paper besides concentrates much on the statistical records of traffic accidents happened in Colombo during the past decennary. METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION 9. The aggregation of informations and information for this research will be extremely based on the positions and the perceptual experiences of the automobilists, walkers, functionaries of traffic constabulary section and those who have met with route traffic accidents which will be derived through systematical interviews. A questionnaire will be distributed among 50 forces composed with 25 drivers including heavy vehicle, light vehicle and three Wheeler drivers, 10 walkers, 10 forces met with traffic accidents and 5 traffic constabulary officers. Further this research analysis will be extremely based on past statistics available on all traffic accidents in Colombo. THE STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS 10. The thesis is structured as follows: Chapter 1 Introduction. Chapter 2 Methodology. Chapter 3 Addition of vehicle population in Sri Lanka. Chapter 4 Reasons lending to the traffic congestion in Colombo. Chapter 5 Observations made by the Researcher. Chapter 6 Analysis of informations. Chapter 7 Recommendations. Chapter 8 Decision. Chapter 3 INCRESE OF VEHICLE POPULATION IN SRI LANKA 11. It is a known fact that the vehicle population of Sri Lanka was really minimum before 1980s and inquire whether a word called traffic congestion was heard at that clip. However with the inflow of the constructs of unfastened economic system to the state, the vehicle population was increased but at a moderate rate during 80s and 90s. So that the route web in the state, though non developed much, was sufficient to suit the transit in the state without traffic congestion. But within the last decennary the vehicle population of the state was expanded at a drastic rate and about doubled within a period of eight old ages. The undermentioned statistics at Table 3.1[ 1 ]gives a clear image of the vehicle population of the state and the composing of the same. Class OF VEHICLE 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Motor autos 241,444 253,447 274,631 293,747 311,030 338,608 361,211 381,448 Motor Tricycle 112,239 133,115 169,319 213,108 254,193 318,659 361,727 406,531 Motor Cycles 868,705 923,467 1,010,344 1,134,818 1,265,514 1,422,140 1,604,648 1,760,600 Buss 66,273 67,702 69,651 71,818 73,887 77,233 79,870 81,050 Double intent vehicles 141,496 150,087 163,355 174,091 180,942 188,187 193,380 196,236 Lorries 179,451 187,617 198,775 209,478 223,740 244,176 262,584 276,622 Land vehicles-Tractors 136,726 143,804 153,808 165,343 180,940 199,980 221,326 245,683 Land vehicles-Trailers 32,682 33,128 33,986 35,308 37,134 38,919 41,048 42,823 Sum 1,779,016 1,892,367 2,073,869 2,297,711 2,527,380 2,827,902 3,125,794 3,390,993 Table 3.1: Vehicle population of the state from 2001-2008 12. Table 3.2[ 2 ]shows the rate of increasing of vehicles in the state with the new enrollments per twelvemonth. From twelvemonth 2002 onwards the new enrollments per twelvemonth exceeds 200,000. In this context what we have to place is whether the route web has been expanded relatively to suit this figure of vehicles. Class OF VEHICLE 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Motor autos 8,426 12,003 21,184 19,116 17,283 27,578 22,603 20,237 Motor Tricycle 10,274 20,876 36,204 43,789 41,085 64,466 43,068 44,804 Motor Cycles 34,119 54,762 86,877 124,474 130,696 156,626 182,508 155,952 Buss 1,310 1,429 1,949 2,167 2,069 3,346 2,637 1,180 Double intent vehicles 5,864 8,591 13,268 10,736 6,851 7,245 5,193 2,856 Lorries 6,095 8,166 11,158 10,703 14,262 20,436 18,408 14,038 Land vehicles-Tractors 6,063 7,078 10,004 11,535 15,597 19,040 21,346 24,357 Land vehicles-Trailers 483 446 858 1,322 1,826 1,785 2,129 1,775 Sum 72,634 113,351 181,502 223,842 229,669 300,522 297,892 265,199 Table 3.2: new vehicle enrollment of the state from 2001-2008 13. When it comes to Colombo metropolis, it has been revealed that about 400,000 vehicles move in and out of Colombo day-to-day footing, which is about 15 % of the entire vehicle population of the state. Though the route web of the chief metropolis of the state has been extensively expanded every bit good, the traffic congestion due to different lending factors could non hold been avoided. It has been come to illume that following are the chief contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis and its suburbs. High volume of vehicle motions within the metropolis. Not holding a proper traffic program in the metropolis. Closing of certain roads for security grounds. Bad driving wonts of drivers go againsting traffic regulations. Improper parking wonts of drivers disrupting smooth vehicle motions due to non handiness sufficient parking installations. Poor traffic commanding responsibilities of traffic constabulary functionaries. Use of old vehicles non route worthy. Addition of vehicle accidents due to high volume of vehicle motions barricading the smooth vehicle motions. Chapter 4 REASONS CONTRIBUTING TO THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN COLOMBO 14. Colombo City is the most populated metropolis in Sri Lanka and the life criterions of the people populating in Colombo is relatively high ensuing a considerable figure of people out of those populating in Colombo are in ownership of a sort of personal vehicles. Further a immense figure of people moves in and out of the Colombo metropolis day-to-day footing doing the figure of vehicles traveling in and out on day-to-day footing is really high. As per the statistics available at Traffic Branch of the Police Department, about 400,000 vehicles of different classs move in Colombo metropolis daily. 15. Due to this big figure of vehicles traveling in and out of the Colombo metropolis the mean figure of accidents reported within the Colombo metropolis is 200 out of which 6 are fatal. It is of import to hold an thought of the general perceptual experience towards the contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. GENERAL PUBLIC PERCEPTION 16. Based on the result of the thoughts obtained from a cross subdivision of drivers and non-drivers runing in Colombo metropolis through a distribution of a questionnaire attached as Annex A , the undermentioned factors were revealed out of which some are identified as the contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. Chart 4.1 Possession of valid drive licence 17. It was revealed through a distribution of questionnaires among 50 forces driving different types of vehicles in Colombo metropolis country merely 80 % are with valid driving licence whilst others drive different classs of vehicles without driving or siting licence as elaborated in Chart 4.1. Chart 4.2 Cognition on Traffic Rules 18. Percentage of the forces who are driving vehicles and holding an mean cognition on traffic regulations and ordinances is 60 % whilst both the classs of those with really good cognition and hapless bases at 20 % each as displayed in Chart 4.2. Chart 4.3 Attachment of Traffic Rules 19. Attachment to traffic regulations plays a major function in the context of traffic congestion of any where on the route so make at the Colombo metropolis country and the composing of the same with respect to Colombo metropolis country is as per above Chart 4.3. As per the statistical informations received in this respect merely 5 % of the forces drive vehicles in Colombo metropolis adhering 100 % to the traffic regulations and ordinances. 70 % adhere traffic regulations but sometimes go againsting. 20 % adhere traffic regulations merely when they feel it is required to make so whilst 5 % adhere merely when traffic constabulary are expected or to be seen on the route. Chart 4.4 Ratio of Drivers met with Accidents whilst driving in Colombo The Chart 4.4 shows how rare we can happen a individual driving a sort of vehicle but non hold met with an accident whist driving in Colombo. 80 % of the drivers have met with some sort of traffic accident whilst drive in Colombo. It is of import to place the chief grounds behind those accidents and Chart 4.5 elaborates the same. 30 % have met with accidents due to the fact that they have non adhering to the traffic regulations, at the clip of run intoing the accident whilst 50 % have met with the accidents as a consequence of the misdemeanor of traffic regulations by the another party. 15 % have met with accident due to the congestion of traffic in Colombo, whilst merely 5 % due to some other grounds. Chart 4.5 Reasons for the Accidents in Colombo City 21. It is a known fact that usage of nomadic phones by the drivers whilst driving is one of the major grounds lending for the traffic accidents so do for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. The research reveals as highlighted at Chart 4.6 that 80 % forces uses nomadic phones whilst driving. It was besides revealed that 10 % do nt utilize nomadic phones whilst driving and the balance 10 % uses nomadic phones nevertheless after parking the vehicle by side of the route. Chart 4.6 Use of Mobile Phones Whilst Driving 22. Parking vehicles at unauthorised topographic points by side of the roads increase the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis really much. Reason for that type of illegal parking varies from individual to individual and the Chart 4.7 shows the per centum of drivers making illegal parking whilst Chart 4.8 shows the ground for them to make so. Chart 4.7 Tendency of Illegal Vehicle Parking Chart 4.8 Tendency of Illegal Vehicle Parking 23. Driving vehicles in conformity to the stipulated velocity bounds is besides a fact required to be adhered to in order to minimise the perturbation to the other vehicles and the commuters every bit good. The research reveals that, about all the drivers are runing in Colombo violate the velocity bounds even in sometimes. Chart 4.9 Adhere to rush bounds 24. The general perceptual experience of those who are driving a sort of vehicle in Colombo metropolis, towards the grounds for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis is emphasized in The Chart 4.10 Though the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis is a consequence of combination of different factors, the most conducive factor was identified as the improper driving wonts of the drivers which stands at 60 % . The following chief factor which stands at 20 % is the immense figure of vehicles come ining in to Colombo metropolis. Chart 4.10 Reasons for traffic congestion TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICIALS PERCEPTION 25. Traffic Police functionaries executing traffic responsibilities are one of the chief resource forces from whom an indifferent sentiment towards the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis, could be obtained. A specifically designed questionnaire as at Annex B was distributed among 25 traffic constabulary functionaries and the result of the same is as follows. 26. The really first inquiry was to happen whether they see or see a traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis for which the reply was 100 % positive and all the constabulary functionaries accept the inordinate traffic congestion in Colombo. 27. The traffic constabulary functionaries being the most competent forces with their observations and experience to name out the factors lending the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis were tasked to name out those factors harmonizing to the precedency and the result is every bit enumerated at Chart 5.11 Majority of them are in the position of that the bad driving wonts of the drivers go againsting the traffic regulations and ordinances, come foremost cause for the present twenty-four hours traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis . Chart 5.11 Reasons for Traffic Congestion as per the precedency 28. The order of precedency explained above at Paragraph 27 was farther substantiated based on the factual inside informations of the traffic constabulary functionaries as shown below at Chart 5.12 The figure of forces acquiring caught to patrol net daily for go againsting traffic regulations in Colombo metropolis bases above all the other wrongdoers. Those who are driving vehicles over hurrying, though taken as a separate property, is once more an improper drive wont go againsting the traffic regulations. So that the per centum of those who are driving with improper driving wonts and acquiring caught to patrol is 60 % . Chart 5.12 Reasons for Traffic Congestion as per the precedency 29. Positions of the traffic constabulary functionaries were expected to happen out the most feasible solution to the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. Though different sentiments were found as shown at Chart 5.13, the most feasible solutions for which 55 % agreed to turn to this job was to take austere disciplinary action against those wrongdoers who violate the traffic regulations and ordinances. Chart 5.13 Reasons for Traffic Congestion as per the precedency Chapter 5 OBSERVATIONS MADE BY THE RESEARCHER 30. Further to the facts gathered through the distribution of questionnaires among general populace, those who are driving vehicles in Colombo metropolis countries, and the traffic constabulary functionaries executing responsibilities in Colombo country, the undermentioned facts were revealed through ocular observations and sporadic interviews of the people hanging about in Colombo country. These were included with coach drivers, three wheel drivers, constabulary officers, walkers ; forces utilizing public conveyance etc. and the undermentioned observations were made. a. It was observed that the maximal figure of vehicles move in Colombo metropolis country during the undermentioned haste hours. 0730 hour to 0900 hrs During this period the maximal Numberss of vehicles moves in Colombo metropolis making a traffic congestion and the ground is the inflow of people to Colombo for employments, concerns, and to go to schools etc 1330 hour to 1430 hour This is the clip period during when schools are acquiring closed and a big figure of vehicles move in the Colombo metropolis for school services. Due to the fact that a considerable figure of prima schools are located in Colombo metropolis itself, the figure of light vehicles runing for school services is highly high ensuing the traffic congestion. 1630 hour to 1830 hrs Soon after the office hours the outward vehicle motions from the Colombo metropolis are really high similar to the forenoon session making a traffic congestion. B. The competition of the coach drivers makes mayhem in the smooth flow of vehicle motions in Colombo metropolis. Though the coachs every bit good as the other heavy vehicles are to drive in the leftmost lane it is being practiced merely for halting the coachs at coach arrests to board or alight the riders. Almost all the coach drivers make their fullest attempt to upset the other coachs to do a large gimmick of riders which in bend disturb all the vehicles on the roads making traffic congestions. However non a individual coach driver is ready to accept that they are experimenting improper driving wonts go againsting the traffic regulations. c. Habitual misdemeanor of traffic regulations by the three wheel drivers are one of the chief contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. The figure of three Wheelers in Colombo metropolis is highly high. Easy manoeuvrability of three Wheelers is being used by most of the drivers to acquire an excess advantage of making their finishs every bit rapidly as possible nevertheless go againsting all the sorts of traffic regulations. They do non trouble oneself about the troubles faced by the other automobilists and drivers due to their unethical drive forms finally making unneeded traffic congestions. d. Parking vehicles by sides of the roads barricading the other free vehicle motion is besides a conducive factor for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. Sometimes may be due to the non handiness of parking installations, drivers are used to park the vehicles by side of the roads upseting the other vehicles. e. Role of the walkers excessively contributes much for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. The highly hapless route subject of the walkers creates unneeded perturbation to the smooth motion of vehicles. Even at the topographic points where operating expense or belowground prosaic crossings are at that place, most of the walkers do non and reluctant to utilize those installations but used to traverse the route at the shortest manner which ends up non merely with traffic congestions but besides accidents with human deaths. f. Less attending of most of the automobilists towards the perturbations for the other vehicles due to the manner they are driving besides contributes for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. The authoritative illustration in this context is the usage of nomadic phones whilst driving making unneeded perturbation for the other vehicles whilst non being cognizant of it. Chapter 6 Analysis OF DATA 31. When the information collected through the systematical interviews, ocular observations and distribution of questionnaires were analyzed, it was proven that the undermentioned contributory factors have resulted that the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis and suburbs. High volume of vehicle motions within the metropolis. Not holding a proper traffic program in the metropolis. Closing of certain roads for security grounds. Bad driving wonts of drivers go againsting traffic regulations. Improper parking wonts of drivers disrupting smooth vehicle motions due to non handiness of sufficient parking installations. Poor traffic commanding responsibilities of traffic constabulary functionaries. Use of old vehicles non route worthy. Addition of vehicle accidents due to high volume of vehicle motions barricading the smooth vehicle motions. Bad route subject of walkers. 32. The high volume of vehicles of about 400,000 are runing in Colombo metropolis daily is doubtless is one of the chief grounds for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. Number of accidents, every bit Mach as 200 per twenty-four hours consolidates this fact farther. But the figure of vehicles entirely would nt hold created this much of traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis unless the other lending factors have popped up as a consequence of the high volume of the vehicles. All the enterprises have been taken to cut down the effects caused by the other factors such as cut downing the misdemeanor of traffic regulations, unauthorised parking etc. Since those factors play a major function than the volume of the vehicles. 33. As enumerated and hypothesized throughout the research, the improper driving wonts of bulk of the drivers runing in Colombo metropolis are analyzed as the chief contributing factor for the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis. When the figure of vehicles are high and certain automobilists are in a haste tend to go against traffic regulations and ordinances and to make their finishs every bit shortly as possible finally making traffic jams and blocks at the roads. The competition and the habitually improper driving patterns of the coach drivers and three wheel drivers contributes this facet at big. This research hypothesis is farther consolidated by the statistical inside informations obtained through the distribution of questionnaire with a per centum of 60 % of general public and traffic constabulary functionaries in the position that the improper driving wonts of the driver causes traffic congestion in Colombo. 34. Though there are regulations and ordinances to convey the wrongdoers at the roads before the tribunals and to be tried, it is non being pattern to a satisfactory degree. Though the traffic constabulary functionaries reiterated that the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis is chiefly due to the improper driving wonts of the drivers, the actions they have taken to turn to this job is non seeable. The avenues available for the wrongdoers to acquire themselves free from the traffic misdemeanors even after acquiring caught to traffic constabulary functionaries are at a big but unrevealed by both parties. Chapter 7 Recommendation 35. Based on the factual inside informations obtained through systematical agencies and the research analysis, it is apparent that the fact of improper driving wonts of the drivers is to be addressed seasonably to cut down the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis and its suburbs at first whilst turn toing the remainder of the conducive factors bit by bit. The undermentioned actions are recommended to be initiated in this connexion. a. Traffic Torahs, regulations and ordinances are to be revised and to be incorporated with austere disciplinary action against the misdemeanor of traffic regulations. B. The traffic constabulary functionaries as the jurisprudence implementing authorization should be trained and handled in a more discipline manner than every bit at present to be steadfast when executing their responsibilities. Internal monitoring systems within the traffic constabulary section are to be established and austere disciplinary action to be taken against those corrupted constabulary functionaries non transporting out their responsibilities decently. c. A value to be added to the driving licence from the clip of publishing and it is to be ensured that merely the competent and disciplined appliers are issued with driving licence. In instance of any sort of knowing misdemeanor of traffic regulation the relevant diving licence holder is to be kept under supervising for a standard period of clip sooner one twelvemonth and if found once more for knowing misdemeanor the drive licence is to be terminated. So that, no organic structure will take the hazard of acquiring their drive licence terminated. d. Parking installations in the Colombo territory to be expanded and so those who are parking vehicles at unauthorised topographic points to be dealt consequently. e. Specific regulations and ordinances for the care of subject of coach drivers and three wheel drivers are to be brought in to coerce. f. CCTV monitoring systems to be installed within the Colombo metropolis to follow the drivers go againsting traffic regulations and the constabulary functionaries non transporting out their responsibilities decently. g. Island broad educational plans to be conducted to convey a behavioural alteration of the people driving any sort of vehicle in Sri Lanka to be disciplined at the roads and to esteem the others. h. Quality of the public conveyance services are to be increased to actuate the people to utilize public conveyance than their private vehicles when coming in to Colombo metropolis which will cut down the inflow of light vehicles that contributes much for the traffic congestion in the metropolis. i. Informing automobilist about route accidents, traffic congestion and route conditions by traffic wireless station which will assist automobilists to avoid traffic congestion. Helicopters can be use to moniter traffic.[ 3 ] Chapter 8 Decision 36. It is a known fact that the troubles faced by the general populace, the traffic constabulary functionaries and the wastage of national resources due to the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis is extreme and unexplainable. So this is a national issue required to be addressed within the least possible hold without being waiting till the job get aggravated. As hypothesized the chief fact behind the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis and besides in suburbs is the improper driving wonts of the vehicle users whilst few other factors contribute to increase the job. As identified and analyzed during the research it is of import to turn to the chief factor which is improper driving wonts of the drivers as the initial measure whilst turn toing the others thenceforth. 37. The result of this enterprise to cut down the traffic congestion in Colombo metropolis bounds and its suburbs will be an illustration to turn to the similar type of traffic congestions in other chief metropoliss in Sri Lanka every bit good. These types of jobs can non be addressed without the support of the general populace every bit good as the functionaries who are tasked to execute responsibilities in that regard. However with the enforcement of new jurisprudence and systematical plans to do the drive community more disciplined the traffic congestion of the Colombo would be bit by bit reduced which will be good for all the people populating in this state since this is a job pertaining to the chief concern and industrial metropolis of Sri Lanka.