Traffic Congestion Problems In Colombo City

handicraft over-crowding Problems In capital of Sri Lanka urban centerIt is a overmuch cognise position nowadays that the duty over-crowding in capital of Sri Lanka has increase to a level that al close to of the military force run in capital of Sri Lanka urban center limits get moveed in their day to day activities. tho it has flummox to the erupt that the trading accidents in capital of Sri Lanka metropolis bea alike expect been increased during the upstart bygone to a con stancerable amount principal(prenominal)ly over collectable to this over-crowding. stunned of the over single arrive of dealings accidents inform deep down the inelegant the most government issues argon inform from capital of Sri Lanka metropolis limits. Number of lives bem utilise due to these accidents erectnot be considered in light whilst minor scale accidents reported stands at grownup. Unreported twists of minor scale accidents atomic f atomic number 18 18 not cognize but would be as double as the turn outcome of reported.Difficulties faced by the force backists, pedestrians, manageriness natural law force officials and gener bothy the public in capital of Sri Lanka battleground due to this business over-crowding ar truly nobleschool. The day to day life of the universal public such as attending their office duties, attending children to schools, attending former(a) domestic personal matters are acquire disturbed heavily due to the unforeseen delays they are compelled to realise at itinerarys ca utilization by job congestion impede the strike fomite incisions in capital of Sri Lanka metropolis. This is globally wastage of innumerous occur of man-hours of working deal, loosing billions of rupees of income to the Gross National Product.It is a known fact that the highest number of vehicles, comparative to the separate cities in Sri Lanka, operating in capital of Sri Lanka urban center. effort for the same is Colombo is the main city in Sri Lanka to where deep number of people travel daily to do their jobs, send most number of children to the large number of leadership schools located inside the city. yet the Colombo harbour is situated in spite of appearance the Colombo city limits resulting a large number of vehicle trys for transportation of goods. Most number of star tell apart tourists hotels located in a single city is Colombo resulting large number of vehicle movements in between Bandaranayke International Airport, Katunayaka and Colombo. Generally the main commecial city of Sri Lanka is Colombo and as a result of that almost all the strength vivification at wherever the demesne are compelled to come to Colombo for nigh reason which increase the vehicle congestion in Colombo city limits.4. When a large number of vehicles are operating within a limited area in Colombo city, it is distinct that the number of duty accidents could be at a higher target comparative to the number of accidents happened in separate cities in Sri Lanka. But in this context what is all important(predicate) to be enquiryed is the reasons for those large number of accidents. The amount of vehicle operating in Colombo city would not be a good reason for every of the citizen of this country to be met with a employment accident and to get injured or to be killed. This cosmos the emplacement time has come to try the causes contribute to the increase of barter congestion in Colombo city and to come up with viable solutions to name and administer this b other which will in turn be beneficial to the future day prospects of Colombo city, as well as the country as a whole.CHAPTER 2METHODOLOGYAIM5. The aim of this look for paper is to analyze the major(ip) causes which modify to the concern congestion in Colombo city limits and to come up with feasible measures to create a smooth traffic movement in Colombo city limits as an example for the serenity of the cities in the country.STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM6. increment of traffic congestion within the Colombo city limits at a drastic rate within a very short stop of time has not lonesome(prenominal) resulted the general public operating in the Colombo city to experience unforeseen difficulties at thoroughfares but also to be end up at sometime with fatalities or losses of lives. The continuance in the increase of rate of traffic congestion in Colombo city would become a major burden for the motorists, pedestrians, traffic law of nature officials and all the communities operating in Colombo city and also will diddle negative impacts to the development of Colombo as well as the country unless addressed systematically. This look into is to identify the major causes which have contributed for the increase of traffic congestion in Colombo city and to recommend feasible measures to dis consider the same.THE RESEARCH HYPO thesis7. Unlawful unprompted habits of the motorists who do not stick to to the traffic regulations is hypnotized as the main cause for the increase of motor traffic congestion in Colombo.SCOPE OF THE STUDY8. The scope of the topic is to confined to the motorists, pedestrians and traffic law officials operating in Colombo city limits to identify their views and attitudes towards the increased rate of traffic accidents in Colombo. The paper also concentrates much on the statistical records of traffic accidents happened in Colombo during the chivalric decade.METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION9. The collection of data and information for this search will be highly based on the views and the perceptions of the motorists, pedestrians, officials of traffic practice of law department and those who have met with passage traffic accidents which will be derived done systematical interviews. A questionnaire will be distributed among 50 personnel composed with 25 drivers including hard vehicle, light vehicle and tether wheeler drivers, 10 pedestrians, 10 personne l met with traffic accidents and 5 traffic police officers. Further this research analysis will be highly based on past statistics lendable on all traffic accidents in Colombo.THE STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS10. The thesis is structured as followsChapter 1 Introduction.Chapter 2 Methodology.Chapter 3 improver of vehicle population in Sri Lanka.Chapter 4 Reasons contributing to the traffic congestion inColombo.Chapter 5 Observations made by the Researcher.Chapter 6 Analysis of data.Chapter 7 Recommendations.Chapter 8 Conclusion.CHAPTER 3INCRESE OF VEHICLE POPULATION IN SRI LANKA11. It is a known fact that the vehicle population of Sri Lanka was very minimal in advance mid-eighties and wonder whether a word called traffic congestion was heard at that time. However with the influx of the concepts of open economy to the country, the vehicle population was increased but at a moderate rate during 80s and 90s. So that the road network in the country, though not developed much, was a dequate to make the transportation in the country without traffic congestion. But within the weather decade the vehicle population of the country was expand at a drastic rate and almost doubled within a period of eight socio-economic classs. The following statistics at Table 3.11gives a clear understand of the vehicle population of the country and the constitution of the same.12. Table 3.22shows the rate of increase of vehicles in the country with the new registrations per year. From year cc2 onwards the new registrations per year exceeds 200,000. In this context what we have to identify is whether the road network has been grow comparatively to accommodate this number of vehicles.13. When it comes to Colombo city, it has been revealed that approximately 400,000 vehicles move in and out of Colombo daily basis, which is approximately 15% of the total vehicle population of the country. though the road network of the main city of the country has been extensively expanded as well, the traffic congestion due to contrary contributing chemical elements could not have been avoided. It has been come to light that following are the main contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo city and its suburbs.High mint of vehicle movements within the city.Not having a straitlaced traffic plan in the city.Closure of certain roads for certificate reasons.Bad impulsive force habits of drivers violating traffic rules.Improper set habits of drivers interrupting smooth vehicle movements due to non availability sufficient lay facilities.Poor traffic arbitrary duties of traffic police officials. usance of old vehicles not road worthy.Increase of vehicle accidents due to high volume of vehicle movements blocking the smooth vehicle movements.CHAPTER 4REASONS CONTRIBUTING TO THE craft CONGESTION IN capital of Sri Lanka14. Colombo City is the most populated city in Sri Lanka and the living standards of the people living in Colombo is comparatively high resul ting a considerable number of people out of those living in Colombo are in possession of a kind of personal vehicles. Further a huge number of people moves in and out of the Colombo city daily basis making the number of vehicles lamentable in and out on daily basis is very high. As per the statistics available at Traffic Branch of the Police Department, approximately 400,000 vehicles of different categories move in Colombo city daily.15. Due to this large number of vehicles moving in and out of the Colombo city the average number of accidents reported within the Colombo city is 200 out of which 6 are fatal. It is important to have an idea of the general perception towards the contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo city.GENERAL PUBLIC PERCEPTION16. ground on the outcome of the ideas obtained from a cross section of drivers and non-drivers operating in Colombo city by dint of a dissemination of a questionnaire inclined as Annex A, the following factors were re vealed out of which some are set as the contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. map 4.1 Possession of valid thrust permit17. It was revealed through a distribution of questionnaires among 50 personnel driving different types of vehicles in Colombo city area hardly 80% are with valid driving license whilst others drive different categories of vehicles without driving or riding license as elaborated in map 4.1.graph 4.2 Knowledge on Traffic Rules18. Percentage of the personnel who are driving vehicles and having an average knowledge on traffic rules and regulations is 60% whilst both the categories of those with very good knowledge and hapless stands at 20% each as displayed in graph 4.2.Chart 4.3 Adherence of Traffic Rules19. Adherence to traffic rules plays a major agency in the context of traffic congestion of all where on the road so do at the Colombo city area and the composition of the same with regard to Colombo city area is as per preceding( prenominal) Chart 4.3. As per the statistical data received in this regard only 5% of the personnel drive vehicles in Colombo city adhering 100% to the traffic rules and regulations. 70% adhere traffic rules but sometimes violating. 20% adhere traffic rules only when they feel it is required to do so whilst 5% adhere only when traffic police are expected or to be seen on the road.Chart 4.4 Ratio of Drivers met with Accidents whilst driving in ColomboThe Chart 4.4 shows how rare we can develop a person driving a kind of vehicle but not have met with an accident whist driving in Colombo. 80% of the drivers have met with some kind of traffic accident whilst driving in Colombo. It is important to identify the main reasons behind those accidents and Chart 4.5 elaborates the same. 30% have met with accidents due to the fact that they have not adhering to the traffic rules, at the time of shock the accident whilst 50% have met with the accidents as a result of the ravishment of traffic rules by the another party. 15% have met with accident due to the congestion of traffic in Colombo, whilst only 5% due to some other reasons.Chart 4.5 Reasons for the Accidents in Colombo City21. It is a known fact that use of mobile phones by the drivers whilst driving is one of the major reasons contributing for the traffic accidents so do for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. The research reveals as highlighted at Chart 4.6 that 80% personnel uses mobile phones whilst driving. It was also revealed that 10 % dont uses mobile phones whilst driving and the balance 10% uses mobile phones however after parking the vehicle by side of the road.Chart 4.6 Usage of Mobile Phones Whilst Driving22. pose vehicles at unlicenced places by side of the roads increase the traffic congestion in Colombo city very much. Reason for that type of illegal parking varies from person to person and the Chart 4.7 shows the percentage of drivers doing illegal parking whilst Chart 4.8 shows the reaso n for them to do so.Chart 4.7 Trend of Illegal Vehicle ParkingChart 4.8 Trend of Illegal Vehicle Parking23. Driving vehicles in accordance to the stipulated speed limits is also a fact required to be adhered to in order to minimize the disturbance to the other vehicles and the commuters as well. The research reveals that, almost all the drivers are operating in Colombo bust the speed limits regular in sometimes.Chart 4.9 Adhere to speed limits24. The general perception of those who are driving a kind of vehicle in Colombo city, towards the reasons for the traffic congestion in Colombo city is forceful in The Chart 4.10 Though the traffic congestion in Colombo city is a result of combination of different factors, the most contributing factor was determine as the abominable driving habits of the drivers which stands at 60%. The next main factor which stands at 20% is the huge number of vehicles entering in to Colombo city.Chart 4.10 Reasons for traffic congestionTRAFFIC POLIC E OFFICIALS PERCEPTION25. Traffic Police officials performing traffic duties are one of the main resource personnel from whom an unbiased opinion towards the traffic congestion in Colombo city, could be obtained. A specifically intentional questionnaire as at Annex B was distributed among 25 traffic police officials and the outcome of the same is as follows.26. The very first question was to find whether they see or experience a traffic congestion in Colombo city for which the answer was 100% positive and all the police officials accept the excessive traffic congestion in Colombo.27. The traffic police officials being the most competent personnel with their observations and experience to itemization out the factors contributing the traffic congestion in Colombo city were tasked to list out those factors according to the precedence and the outcome is as enumerated at Chart 5.11 Majority of them are in the view of that the bad driving habits of the drivers violating the traffic rule s and regulations, come first cause for the present day traffic congestion in Colombo city.Chart 5.11 Reasons for Traffic congestion as per the precedence28. The order of precedence explained above at Paragraph 27 was notwithstanding substantiated based on the factual details of the traffic police officials as shown below at Chart 5.12 The number of personnel getting caught to police net daily for violating traffic rules in Colombo city stands above all the other offenders. Those who are driving vehicles over speeding, though taken as a separate attribute, is again an abominable driving habit violating the traffic rules. So that the percentage of those who are driving with illegitimate driving habits and getting caught to police is 60%.Chart 5.12 Reasons for Traffic Congestion as per the precedence29. Views of the traffic police officials were expected to find out the most viable solution to the traffic congestion in Colombo city. Though different opinions were effectuate as shown at Chart 5.13, the most viable solutions for which 55% agreed to address this problem was to take stark(a) disciplinary action against those offenders who vituperate the traffic rules and regulations.Chart 5.13 Reasons for Traffic Congestion as per the precedenceCHAPTER 5OBSERVATIONS MADE BY THE RESEARCHER30. Further to the facts gathered through the distribution of questionnaires among general public, those who are driving vehicles in Colombo city areas, and the traffic police officials performing duties in Colombo area, the following facts were revealed through visual observations and sporadic interviews of the people hanging slightly in Colombo area. These were included with bus drivers, three wheel drivers, police officers, pedestrians personnel using public transport etc. and the following observations were made.a. It was find that the maximum number of vehicles move in Colombo city area during the following rush hours.0730 hrs to 0900 hrs During this period the max imum numbers of vehicles moves in Colombo city creating a traffic congestion and the reason is the influx of people to Colombo for employments, businesses,and to attend schools etc1330 hrs to 1430 hrs This is the time period during when schools are getting unsympathetic and a large number of vehicles move in the Colombo city for school services. Due to the fact that a considerable number of leading schools are located in Colombo city itself, the number of light vehicles operating for school services is highly high resulting the traffic congestion.1630 hrs to 1830 hrs currently after the office hours the outward vehicle movements from the Colombo city are very high similar to the morning session creating a traffic congestion.b. The competition of the bus drivers makes havocs in the smooth flow of vehicle movements in Colombo city. Though the buses as well as the other heavy vehicles are to drive in the leftmost lane it is being honest only for stopping the busses at bus halts to board or rest the passengers. Almost all the bus drivers make their fullest effort to disturb the other buses to make a big catch of passengers which in turn disturb all the vehicles on the roads creating traffic congestions. However not a single bus driver is ready to accept that they are experimenting unlawful driving habits violating the traffic rules.c. Habitual violation of traffic rules by the three wheel drivers are one of the main contributing factors for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. The number of three wheelers in Colombo city is extremely high. Easy maneuverability of three wheelers is being used by most of the drivers to get an extra advantage of reaching their destinations as promptly as possible however violating all the kinds of traffic rules. They do not bother about the difficulties faced by the other motorists and drivers due to their wrong driving patterns in the long run creating unnecessary traffic congestions.d. Parking vehicles by sides of the r oads blocking the other free vehicle movement is also a contributing factor for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. sometimes may be due to the non availability of parking facilities, drivers are used to park the vehicles by side of the roads disturbing the other vehicles.e. power of the pedestrians too contributes much for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. The extremely poor road discipline of the pedestrians creates unnecessary disturbance to the smooth movement of vehicles. Even at the places where overhead or underground pedestrian crossings are there, most of the pedestrians do not and reluctant to use those facilities but used to cross the road at the shortest way which ends up not only with traffic congestions but also accidents with fatalities.f. Less attention of most of the motorists towards the disturbances for the other vehicles due to the way they are driving also contributes for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. The classic example in this context is t he use of mobile phones whilst driving creating unnecessary disturbance for the other vehicles whilst not being aware of it.CHAPTER 6ANALYSIS OF DATA31. When the data collected through the systematical interviews, visual observations and distribution of questionnaires were analyzed, it was proven that the following contributory factors have resulted that the traffic congestion in Colombo city and suburbs.High volume of vehicle movements within the city.Not having a proper traffic plan in the city.Closure of certain roads for security reasons.Bad driving habits of drivers violating traffic rules.Improper parking habits of drivers interrupting smooth vehicle movements due to non availability of sufficient parking facilities.Poor traffic controlling duties of traffic police officials.Use of old vehicles not road worthy.Increase of vehicle accidents due to high volume of vehicle movements blocking the smooth vehicle movements.Bad road discipline of pedestrians.32. The high volume of veh icles of approximately 400,000 are operating in Colombo city daily is undoubtedly is one of the main reasons for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. Number of accidents, as mach as 200 per day consolidates this fact further. But the number of vehicles alone wouldnt have created this much of traffic congestion in Colombo city unless the other contributing factors have popped up as a result of the high volume of the vehicles. All the endeavors have been taken to veer the effects caused by the other factors such as reducing the violation of traffic rules, unauthorized parking etc. Since those factors play a major role than the volume of the vehicles.33. As enumerated and hypothesized throughout the research, the unlawful driving habits of majority of the drivers operating in Colombo city are analyzed as the main contributing factor for the traffic congestion in Colombo city. When the number of vehicles are high and certain motorists are in a hurry tend to violate traffic rules and regulations and to reach their destinations as soon as possible ultimately creating traffic jams and blocks at the roads. The competition and the habitually unlawful driving practices of the bus drivers and three wheel drivers contributes this aspect at large. This research hypothesis is further consolidated by the statistical details obtained through the distribution of questionnaire with a percentage of 60% of general public and traffic police officials in the view that the unlawful driving habits of the driver causes traffic congestion in Colombo.34. Though there are rules and regulations to bring the offenders at the roads before the courts and to be tried, it is not being practice to a satisfactory level. Though the traffic police officials reiterated that the traffic congestion in Colombo city is mainly due to the unlawful driving habits of the drivers, the actions they have taken to address this problem is not visible. The avenues available for the offenders to get themselve s free from the traffic violations even after getting caught to traffic police officials are at a large but undisclosed by both parties.CHAPTER 7 good word35. Based on the factual details obtained through systematical means and the research analysis, it is evident that the fact of unlawful driving habits of the drivers is to be addressed seasonably to reduce the traffic congestion in Colombo city and its suburbs at first whilst addressing the rest of the contributing factors gradually. The following actions are recommended to be initiated in this connection.a. Traffic laws, rules and regulations are to be revised and to be incorporated with rigid disciplinary action against the violation of traffic rules.b. The traffic police officials as the law enforcing authority should be trained and handled in a much discipline way than as at present to be mansion when performing their duties. Internal monitoring systems within the traffic police department are to be established and stern d isciplinary action to be taken against those corrupted police officials not carrying out their duties properly.c. A value to be added to the driving license from the time of issuing and it is to be ensured that only the competent and disciplined applicants are issued with driving license. In case of any kind of intentional violation of traffic rule the relevant plunge license holder is to be kept under supervision for a standard period of time preferably one year and if found again for intentional violation the driving license is to be terminated. So that, no body will take the risk of getting their driving license terminated.d. Parking facilities in the Colombo district to be expanded and then those who are parking vehicles at unauthorized places to be dealt accordingly.e. proper(postnominal) rules and regulations for the maintenance of discipline of bus drivers and three wheel drivers are to be brought in to force.f. CCTV monitoring systems to be installed within the Colombo ci ty to take up the drivers violating traffic rules and the police officials not carrying out their duties properly.g. Island wide educational programs to be conducted to bring a behavioral change of the people driving any kind of vehicle in Sri Lanka to be disciplined at the roads and to respect the others.h. Quality of the public transport services are to be increased to motivate the people to use public transport than their hugger-mugger vehicles when coming in to Colombo city which will reduce the influx of light vehicles that contributes much for the traffic congestion in the city.i. Informing motorist about road accidents, traffic congestion and road conditions by traffic radio station which will help motorists to avoid traffic congestion. Helicopters can be use to moniter traffic.3CHAPTER 8CONCLUSION36. It is a known fact that the difficulties faced by the general public, the traffic police officials and the wastage of national resources due to the traffic congestion in Colom bo city is utmost and unaccountable. So this is a national issue required to be addressed within the least possible delay without being waiting till the problem get aggravated. As hypothesized the main fact behind the traffic congestion in Colombo city and also in suburbs is the unlawful driving habits of the vehicle users whilst few other factors contribute to increase the problem. As identified and analyzed during the research it is important to address the main factor which is unlawful driving habits of the drivers as the initial step whilst addressing the others thereafter.37. The outcome of this endeavor to reduce the traffic congestion in Colombo city limits and its suburbs will be an example to address the similar type of traffic congestions in other main cities in Sri Lanka as well. These types of problems cannot be addressed without the support of the general public as well as the officials who are tasked to perform duties in that respect. However with the enforcement of ne w law and systematical programs to make the driving community more than disciplined the traffic congestion of the Colombo would be gradually rock-bottom which will be beneficial for all the people living in this country since this is a problem pertaining to the main business and industrial city of Sri Lanka.