Halt traffic!

The Sunday Observer spoke to the Chairman of the National Transport Commission, Prof. Amal Kumarage, about the traffic problems in the city and the Road Master Plan.

What is the best way for the National Road Master Plan to adopt a good traffic plan?

Prof. Amal Kumarage

There cannot be a good traffic plan. Any so-called good traffic plan, which presumably increases speed, reduces distances and eliminates delays, will only attract more traffic from other places. There is a theory that 'Traffic fills space'. This is true in Sri Lanka as in all other countries.

The Baseline Road which was widened to six lanes from two, the Parliament Road and the recent flyovers are all examples. Good traffic plans can only come from goods transport plans, wherein the amount of traffic on limited roads is managed through a set of strategic interventions so that the number of vehicles does not increase simply when the conditions of the roads gets better. In this sense, a Road Master Plan which simply looks at new roads and widening of existing roads cannot solve traffic congestion in the long term.

What measures should be in place to ensure a smooth traffic flow in the city?

Solutions for traffic come from non-traffic interventions. In the first place, the city should be allowed to grow only to the extent that its transport needs can be met and sustained. In cities such as Colombo, where new road construction is not possible and even road widening takes years, the existing road space should be well managed.

Urban planners should plan for satellite cities and compact cities, wherein the distances between work places and residences are reduced. It should be noted that people, though they may use faster modes of travel, spend just about the same time commuting to work since they travel longer distances.

Also, the limited road space should be wisely used. In this respect, priority should be given to vehicles that carry more passengers. For example, a bus carries over 40 persons while a car carries just two. Even though the bus may take two to three times the road space of a car, it is still a more efficient mode of road transport. Promoting trains is even better.

Any measure to reduce the number of private vehicles that have poor road utilisation is a correct measure. In this respect, improving existing modes of public transport and introducing new modes is a priority.

Do you think that Sri Lankans today are more concerned about driving a car and showing off, rather than having any concern for the environment to minimise pollution and traffic problems?

This is a worldwide phenomenon. The car is a very attractive and functional mode of transport. However, its true costs are hardly paid for by the user. If and when governments are bold enough to get users to pay the true cost of pollution, accidents and loss of time to others, then people will begin to realise the actual cost. Presently, most of these costs are paid for by non-users. Some countries have started introducing Electronic Road Pricing and other schemes whereby they charge vehicles that enter certain areas and during certain times of the day, when there is a high demand for road space.

In what way has the one-way traffic direction plan benefited drivers?

Most drivers have benefited by enjoying faster travel, but a good part of them travel more. So they may actually be spending more time or even more expenditure. But they may still benefit. However, around 63 per cent of people coming to the city use buses and these passengers have been inconvenienced by the one-way traffic arrangement. In the majority of cases, their travel times have increased and walking distances have also increased. Crossing a stretch of up to six lanes of one-way traffic has become a dangerous exercise for bus passengers as well as for pedestrians.

How can we reform our bus drivers when it comes to a good traffic plan? Can there ever be a solution to the bus traffic problem?

Buses are more a part of the solution than the more popular view that buses cause congestion. For example, one third of the people who come to Colombo by private vehicles take 80 per cent of the road space. Hence, it is the thousands of cars, three-wheelers and motor cycles that are the real contributors to congestion. If for example, 10 per cent of the bus passengers drove to work, our traffic flow would increase by 25 per cent.

Why was it necessary to have more traffic lights in the city? Are they all located in the appropriate places?

The last decade has seen several important road junctions in Colombo and suburbs being 'signalised'. Signals regulate the flow of traffic and provide gaps in the flow for pedestrians and vehicles to cross downstream of a signal.

However, when the traffic flow increases beyond the maximum, signals also become inadequate. Junctions also have many other problems such as a wide mix of traffic ranging from low horse-powered to high horse-powered vehicles to small and large vehicles. This diversity in the traffic flow also causes reduction of speeds at signal lights. Signals are still a more cost effective manner of junction control, especially when compared to the costly system of providing flyovers.

What advice would you give the public when it comes to minimising traffic and in turn, pollution in the city?

If not now, certainly one day, driving to work will cost you, in addition to your fuel may be, Rs. 1,000. For example, London charges nine poundsfor driving in the city, while in some Asian cities you cannot park a car within the city for less than 10 US dollars per hour.

So it will be prudent to begin using public transport whenever you can. The service leaves much to be desired, but trains are now mostly on time, the bus service has improved and new modes of transport such as the City Liner, Park and Ride and possibly a Bus Rapid Transit System are on the cards.

Please explain the plans for City Liner carriers and the 'Park and Ride system'.

This is one of the government's initial attempts to test the response of motorists to use more space efficient modes of transport that meet their standards in the quality of service.

It is also the first attempt to woo back customers to public transport after years of allowing the more affluent passengers on public transport to leave for private vehicle travel.

The City Liner service is being piloted on Galle Road prior to it being launched on other routes. We are learning much about the manner in which services such as these could be marketed to meet the objective of encouraging people not to use their cars. We now have nearly 200 passengers and have extended some services to Wadduwa.

We are now piloting a mid-day service, targeting shoppers as well. The response to the City Liner is most encouraging. But most people don't use the Park and Ride service to park their cars. Most of them walk up to Galle Road and get into the bus, while some park their vehicles at houses of friends or relatives.

-ND