Chapter -1 URBAN TRANSPORT and ITS IMPACT
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Chapter -1 URBAN TRANSPORT AND ITS IMPACT Introduction: This chapter gives a brief background to the study. In the twenty-first century a large number of rural people migrated to the cities. These ever expanding cities generated a huge demand for transportation and it is necessary to study the availability, requirement and quality of transportation services in their totality. This chapter discusses the rising urban population and its travel demands in India and in developing countries. Transport characteristics of different Asian cities and of Indian cities have been discussed. The implications of increased vehicles are significant. This chapter deals with the problems of urban transport viz. road accidents, air pollution, energy consumption and congestion in general. As public transport plays a key role in satisfying transport needs, state public transport in India is also discussed. This chapter also deals with existing traffic .scenario, travel patterns and the state of public transport of Pune city. The last part of the chapter explains the significance of the study and approach to the study. 1.1 Urbanization and Travel Demand: Overall population growth and increasing urbanization have led to a rapid growth of cities. Cities are the focal points for the activities of a society. They are centers of education, employment, commerce, culture and social and political interaction and they have generated a growth in travel demand. The human population is migrating to cities creating primary challenges for sustainable global development which affect the economy, transportation environment, social equity and governance. There are more than 400 cities in the world with over one million inhabitants. Of these, 27 are mega cities and roughly two thirds of these mega cities are in developing world (Moavenzadeh F., 2007). The management of these cities and the provision of shelter, services mobility and livelihood in an environmentally and socially sustainable 1 manner will be major challenges in coming years. Transportation is a key issue; it is an important feature of economic growth, welfare of the public, accessibility to employment and the amenities of life. In the absence of a good, convenient and efficient public transport system, the use of personal vehicles is increasing which is more energy intensive and polluting. It increases congestion, noise and traffic danger and at the same time reduces mobility and accessibility. Rush hour traffic is very slow and it emits poisonous gases. Urban Population and Increased Travel Demand in India: The total urban population in India has increased 4.6 times from 62 million to 285 million between 1951 and 2001 and is estimated to be around 540 million by the year 2021; whereas, the number of vehicles has increased 158 times during the same period. In terms of percentage, the total population has gone up from 17 percent in 1951 to 29 percent in 2001 and is expected to increase up to around 37 percent by the year 2021 (Padam S., 2001). There is a great variation in the concentration of urbanization in India which ranges from 8 percent in Himachal Pradesh to 35 percent in Maharashtra but one specific feature of Indian urbanization is the increasing population of metropolitan cities. The trend indicates that urbanization will continue in the years to come. According to the Planning Commission transport demand in the country has grown 1.2 times of the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. Metropolitan cities, with just about 11 percent of the total population have 32 percent of the country's vehicles (Sen, 2003). During the last two decades vehicle population in India has increased tremendously. The total number of vehicles has increased seven times from 1986 to 2004. The number has risen from 213.74 lakhs in 1991-92 to 727.81 lakhs in 2003-2004 and it is esdmated that numbers will reach 1471.05 lakhs in the year 2010 (Ray, 2001). Much of the growth is in personalized modes like two-wheelers, cars and jeeps. The trend in vehicle population growth of different types of vehicles in India (Table 1.1) has shown a higher growth in two-wheelers with a steep rise during 1986 to 2004; that is approximately eight times and the number of cars, jeeps have increased about five times whereas, buses have increased only three times (Transport Research Wing, Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, 2006). Along with motor vehicles, the number of trips and the distance travelled per trip has also increased. Mobility and accessibility have increased tremendously in urban areas. Motor vehicle population in India since 1951 is shown in the Table 1.1. Table 1.1 Total Number of Motor Vehicles Registered in India (1951- 2004) (In Thousands) Cars, Two- Goods Year jeeps and Buses Others Total wheelers vehicles taxis 1951 27 159 34 82 4 306 1956 41 203 47 119 16 426 1961 88 310 57 168 42 665 1966 226 456 73 259 85 1099 1971 576 682 94 343 170 1865 1976 1057 779 115 351 398 2700 1981 2618 1160 162 554 897 5391 1986 6245 1780 227 863 1462 10577 1991 14200 2954 331 1356 2533 21374 1996 23252 4204 449 2031 3850 33786 1997 25729 4672 484 2343 4104 37332 1998 28642 5138 538 3536 4514 42368 1999 31328 5556 540 2554 4897 44875 2000 34118 6143 562 2715 5319 48857 2001 38556 7058 634 2948 5795 54991 2002 41581 7613 635 2974 6121 58924 2003 47519 8599 721 3492 6676 67007 2004 51922 9451 768 3748 6829 72718 Source: Transport Research Wing, Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, 2006 1.2 Indian Urban Transport: Asian cities vary tremendously in their urban transport characteristics. In Japanese cities, urban rail and cars are the dominating vehicles, while in the Vietnamese cities motorcycles are an important mode of transport. Similarly in Malaysian cities cars and motor cycles are used. In Chinese cities bicycles dominate and in Hongkong public transport gets the first priority. Tokyo is famous for its rail use, whereas Dhaka and Manila are dominated by Pedi cabs and jitneys respectively. Chinese cities still have the highest levels of bicycle usage in the world (Paul Barter, 2000). Indian cities have a wide range of motorized and non-motorized vehicles. In Mumbai, most people use public transport. Ownership of motor vehicles has become a symbol of class and wealth. Walking, cycling and public transport is considered to be inferior. For instance, in Dhaka in Bangladesh middle class people are embarrassed to be seen on a bicycle because of its association with poverty (Paul Barter, 2000). Many rich cities in Asia such as Singapore, Tokyo, Hongkong, and Seoul have been successful in nurturing cycling and public transport. Japanese cities have created an environment for cycling. Some of Europe's richest countries such as Denmark, Switzerland and Netherlands have also promoted and protected cycling and public transport (Paul Barter, 2000). Strasbourg (France) has provided its citizens with a 300 km. network of bicycle routes. Bogota (Columbia) is famous for its public transport (BRT). In Germany, the bicycle remains a feasible travel option due to public policies (Kaur R., 2003). In Shanghai (the world's greatest cycling city with a population of 14 million in 1995) 42 percent that is 26.7 million person trips are by bicycles (Paul Barter, 2000). Indian Cities and Travel Patterns: Table 1.2 gives population statistics of Indian cities. There are 6 cities with population of more than 50 lakhs and three of them with more than 1 crore. Table 1.2 Indian Cities and their Population Less than 1-5 5-10 10-20 20-50 50-100 More than Population llakh lakhs lakhs lakhs lakhs lakhs Icrore Number of 147 177 28 20 6 3 3 cities Source: Govt, of India, 2001 Many cities in India have grown at a tremendous rate in the current decade. In 1951 only 5 cities had a population of more than one million. However, in 2001 there were around 35 cities which had a population of more than 1 million and by the end of the year 2021 these are expected to be at least 50 (Padam S., 2001). Along with urbanization vehicle population in India is increasing at an alarming rate. Table 1.3 shows vehicle population in the major cities of India in 2004. Table 1.3 Vehicle Population in Major Cities of India (2004) Two- Four- Total City Autos Buses Trucks Wheelers VVheelers Vehicles Ahmedabad 8,40,285 1,48,605 44,290 15,291 8,870 10,75,213 Bangalore 14,16,317 2,65,149 75,360 12,890 30,720 18,90,692 Chennai 13,53,177 3,53,539 53,804 27,457 76,820 20,14,776 Delhi 26,65,750 13,14,672 20,893 36,059 75,601 42,36,675 Hyderabad 10,10,536 1,96,976 73,733 2,703 5,049 13,55,700 Source Govt, of India, Road Transport Yearbook 2004-2005 India's major cities are now increasingly dominated by two-wheelers and cars. Though car ownership is low compared to rich countries, it is growing at the rate of 8 to 9 percent. Urban middle class families are opting for cars and their number is increasing. This shows the Indian economic success but such a rapid growth threatens the sustainability of a city by creating local, national and global problems: rising congestion, increased air pollution, increa,sed oil consumption and high rates of road accidents are some of the challenges associated with motorization. Congestion and delays in traffic are common in all cities affecting city's efficiency and productivity. Transport demand in most of the Indian cities has increased substantially due to increased population, availability of motorized transport, increased income and increased commercial and industrial activides.