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HOW TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCYOF EXISTING TRANSPORTATIONSYSTEM IN
COLOMBO AREA
By U.B.M. De Silva (090099N)
s Colombo being the majormetropolitan city of the island, it has
to accommodate nearly
500,000 vehicles per day within the city.Hence adopting a proper
trafficplanning system is essential for the well
being in economical and socialperspectives. This has been on
thediscussion tables of several levels of public hierarchy such as
politicians,engineers, police officers and most commonly the people
who benefits fromthe public transportation services.Several
solutions were implemented forthe daily traffic congestion, but
they
seem to be working only to a certainextent. Introduction of one
way roadsystems was one such plan recentlyadopted. These one way
systems arevery much efficient and fullyoperational in developed
countriesproviding a less travel time andunwanted delays. According
to Prof.Amal Kumarage who was a seniorprofessor in the Department
of CivilEngineering, University of Moratuwa,this scenario which we
would expect inthe Colombo one way system is entirelydifferent as
this system was adoptedwithout any pre and after studyanalysis,
cost benefit analysis orsurveys. As a result of this new one
waysystem, around 20,000 bus passengersusing route No. 104 and 154
had todetour extra 5 km daily for their work
places or school. Statistics reveal anaftermath of Rs.2 million
worth timeloss per week with this current trafficarrangement with
one way systems. Not
only the time loss but also this one waysystem at Galle road-
Dickmen road hadtraffic congestions near Dehiwala andKalubowila.
This is known as the trafficmigration, where the traffic
congestionhas been driven from one place toanother.
Several suggestions can beintroduced to overcome high
traffic
congestions during peak hours. As astart people have to be
morallyinfluenced to use public transits such asrailways and busses
within the Colombocity limits. In the meantimeinfrastructures for
such transits need tobe improved. For instance existingrailway has
to be developed which cantravel at faster speeds and more
number of intercity express trains needto be adapted to the time
tables.Introduction of electric trains would bean optimum solution
in economically aswell as being an environmentallyfriendly
transport service; due to its lowmaintaining cost. It is obvious
that cityof Colombo cannot accommodate anunderground metro, with
its less size.
But Light Rail Transit (L.R.T. ) servicecould also be used as a
public transit.But this requires more space in roads.This
requirement of space can be met with a proper one way traffic
system,which would increase the capacity of road network where it
is applied. A BusRapid Transit (B.R.T) system is alsonecessary to
connect with a L.R.Tsystem such that the public can reach
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anywhere within the city without anyhassles. Since these B.R.T.s
or L.R.T.soperate in separate lanes, it can carry15,000 to 50,000
people per hour whilea properly designed one way trafficsystem
would be able to carry around3000 people per hour with their
cars.Our neighboring country India iscurrently practicing the use
of B.R.T.s inseveral big cities. Even though thisB.R.T.s with
diesel engines can result with noticeable levels of noise, air
pollution and vibration, it can besignificantly reduced by the
addinghybrid engines as per the B.R.T.designers. Use of
trolleybuses wouldalso reduce the emission of gaseous andnoise.
Parking space is a valuableresource in cities like Colombo
wherespacing is less. The government shouldconsider on the option
of introducingnew regulations such as claiming a feeto enter
Colombo city from vehicles likecars or vans, in which a lesser
numberof people can travel. An additionalparking fee could also be
add up withinthe Colombo city limits such that thepeople would only
use their ownvehicles only at a stage where it badlyrequires. This
has to done soon after theintroduction of B.R.Ts or L.R.T.s or
inother words a public transport servicewith high quality. This
would definitelyencourage the general public to usepublic transport
services. This has beendone in many other countries and theresults
were outstanding. Providingparking spaces for reasonable
pricesoutside the city or construct themunderground is another
alternative.
Hence a person can park his vehicle insuch parking spaces
located outsidefrom Colombo city and then use thepublic transport
services to reach his
destination in the city. This may reducethe number of vehicles
enteringColombo city.
Proper driving and driving skillsdirectly relates with traffic
congestions.Recently the government had initiatedthe basic steps to
introduce a point system in which a driver would get apoint when he
violates the traffic
regulations while driving on the road.Such types of systems are
highlypracticed in developed countries likeAustralia and the
drivers have been ableto improve their driving skills whileobeying
the regulations. We can expect to obtain the same outcome with
thelocal drivers with such a system. But thereal question is how
the police or a
relevant authority notices suchmistakes? Are they going to
follow thetraditional method where they stand at every junction or
crossing all day longwaiting for a driver to make a mistake?This is
where the government shouldthink of implementing a Traffic
Enforcement camera system within theColombo region. Such a device
has the
ability to detect violations of trafficregulations including
vehicles goingthrough a red traffic light, sneaking of three
wheelers causing trafficcongestions, unauthorized use of parking
spaces and lanes, people whouse their mobile while driving
etc.Automatic number plate recognitionsystems can also be used to
track thedetails of such careless drivers.
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