International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2017, pp. 1457–1467, Article ID: IJCIET_08_08_162 Available online at http://http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJCIET?Volume=8&Issue=8 ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed MODERNISATION OF AN EXISTING URBAN ROAD-SECTOR IN CHENNAI, A CASE STUDY REPORT Dr. M. P. Chockalingam Visiting Professor Civil Engineering, BIHER,Bharath University, Chennai, India V. Balamurgan Research Scholar Civil Engineering.), Bharath University, Chennai, India ABSTRACT The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, formulated the National Urban Transport Policy, in the year 2006, to bring about comprehensive improvements in urban transport services and the supporting infrastructures. The involvement of the State Governments and Local Bodies was considered as an important component, for achieving the objectives of improving the urban transport services. Pursuant to this effort, there has been a overwhelming encouragement for this scheme, at the national level, in the major cities of India. (1) With the above objective in view, a scheme for modernization of urban roads in Chennai is being planned by the Municipal Corporation of Chennai (COC), to be taken up in a phased manner. A case study report pertaining to the road improvement programme in Ashok Nagar, on the basis of ‘four road- sectors at a time is being described, as a pilot-plant study, in order to bring out the technical challenges involved in the scheme. The total cost of the project works out to R.150.0 crores, as per 2015 estimates. Any delay in execution of the project will invite escalation in the cost of the project. Keywords: Road Quality Analysis Cite this Article: Dr. M. P. Chockalingam and V. Balamurgan, Modernisation of an Existing Urban Road-Sector in Chennai, A Case Study Report, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(8), 2017, pp. 1457–1467. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJCIET?Volume=8&Issue=8 1. INTRODUCTION Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. It needs improved roads in order to promote developmental activities. The existing conditions of most of the roads in Chennai City are in poor shapes, having had outlived their capacities. Hence, there is an immediate need for upgrading the roads. http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 1476 [email protected] Modernisation of an Existing Urban Road-Sector in Chennai, A Case Study Report The rainfall has got relevance to the general maintenance of roads in urban locations. The rain water falling upon the road surface must find its way into the storm water drains through the rainwater collecting- traps provided near the kerbs on either side of the road. Any faulty design of the system would result in the undesirable flooding over the road surface, causing a rubbing action on the black-topped surface of the roads, when the vehicles move over the roads. This grinding action is similar to the results of a wet-grinder, eating away the surface- material. In this relevance, it must be mentioned that the proper draining of the road surface, during rainy days, plays an important role in deciding the life and longevity of the road. The average rainfall in Chennai is about 140mm (55.0 inches) per year. The City gets most of its rainfall from North East Monsoon winds from mid-October to mid-December. Cyclones originating from the Bay of Bengal, sometimes bring rains to the City(11). 2. ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME: The Corporation of Chennai (COC) has been planning to up-grade the existing conditions of the roads in Chennai Metropolitan City, to international standards, in a few selected locations of the City, by providing better roadway design. The recommended provisions of road- features include footpaths, pedestrian crossings, improved street lighting, medians, storm water drains, etc., in the new design. The provision of underground utility ducts, with their crossing facilities, safety features and road-side facilities are being included in the revised design. The general living standards of the people are improving with progression of time, and hence, the people must deserve certain better infrastructure facilities within urban locations, in view of an upward economic growth (10). 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION A 4-road-sector zone, in Ashok Nagar, was chosen as the “model” road-length, to be taken up for modernization, as a pilot-plant project, so that the technical challenges resolved in this project will serve as guidelines for other road improvement schemes in various other parts of Chennai City. The chosen 4-road-sector zone comprises of i) Dr.Ambedkar Road (660.0 m long), ii) Ashok Nagar 4th Avenue (1250.0 m long), iii) Ashok Nagar 1st Avenue (300.0 m long), and iv) Ashok Nagar 11th Avenue (1000.0 m long), thus the road length totaling to an overall length of 2210.0 metres. It is relevant to add here that all the four sectors do not have the same characteristics, in respect of road width, traffic pattern, street-intersections, etc. Figure 1 Key Plan of Study Area Figure-1 describes the orientation of roads, in the study-area. Figure-2 presents the details of the length of each road-sector, in the selected zone.. The existing conditions of the road- sectors, in respect of road width and the traffic pattern are shown in Figure-3 to Figure-6, to http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 1477 [email protected] Dr.M.P.Chockalingam and V. Balamurgan give a visual effect, in understanding the technical challenges involved in the project of modernizing the existing roads. Figure 2 Lengths of Study Roads Dr. Ambedkar Road branches off from Arcot Road in Kodambakkam, and proceeds towards Ashok Pillar. The right of way (ROW) varies from 16.0m to 24.0m, comprising of divided carriageway, with central median, and footpath (being encroached!). (Please see Figure-3) . Figure-3 Dr.Ambedkar Road Ashok Nagar 4th Avenue starts from Dr. Ambedkar Road near Hotel Brown Star, Saamiyaar Madam, and ends at Jawaharlal Nehru Road – Inner Ring Road (IRR) in the neighbourhood of Ashok Pillar. The length of this road-sector is 1250.0m, and the ROW varies from 23.0m to 24.0m, comprising of divided carriageway, with central median, and footpath cum drain on both sides. The foot path is not exclusively serving its desired purpose. Figure 4 Fourth Avenue Road http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 1478 [email protected] Modernisation of an Existing Urban Road-Sector in Chennai, A Case Study Report Ashok Nagar 1st Avenue starts at Ashok Pillar Intersection, and ends at 11th Avenue. The length of this road-sector is 300.0m, and the ROW varies from 26.0m to 30.0m, comprising of 6-lane undivided carriageway, with footpath cum drain on both sides. The foot- path is at an elevated level, serving its desired purpose. Figure 5 Bus bay in First Avenue Ashok Nagar 11th Avenue starts at Govindan Road- 10th Avenue Junction, and ends at IRR (Inner Ring Road). The length of this road-sector is 1000.0m, and the ROW varies from 26.0m to 30.0m, comprising of divided highway, with central median and footpath cum drain on both sides. The foot-path needs to be improved, as per urban standards. Figure 6 Eleventh Avenue Ashok Pillar Intersection The Ashok Pillar was established in the year 1964, when this new township of Ashok Nagar was formed. At the heart of this residential area, stands the Ashoka Pillar, as a grand monument. This four-lion head stump, resembles the historical structure erected by the ancient Emperor Ashoka, during the 3rd Century BC at Sanchi, India. Figure-7 Ashok Pillar Location http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 1479 [email protected] Dr.M.P.Chockalingam and V. Balamurgan Ashok Nagar, founded primarily as a residential township, has become a busy location, as a well-connected urban neighbourhood, with several educational institutions, commercial centres, banks, luxury flats, bungalows, parks, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, places of worship, entertainment halls, residential apartment complexes, Government Offices, etc. The latest new facility near the Ashok Pillar Intersection is the Ashok Nagar Railway Station of the Chennai Metro Rail Network (shown in Figure-8). The Chennai Metro Rail is a rapid transit system which has been commissioned recently, in Chennai. The platform for boarding the train is located at about 12.6 meters above the street level, near Ashok Pillar Intersection. Once the metro station becomes fully operational, the traffic flow patterns are expected to change in the Ashoknagar Road-Intersection, and also along the connecting roads. Figure-8 Ashok Nagar Metro Rail Station 4. METHODOLOGY The standards of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) were followed in the design of each road, in Ashok Nagar. All roads have been assumed as urban sections. Suitable cross section has been developed for the individual location, in lines with the custom-requirements at that particular location. The appearances of up-graded road cross-sections are presented below: Dr. Ambedkar Road: The up-graded cross section for Dr.Ambedkar Road consists of 500mm median, 5.75m wide carriageway on two sides, and minimum 1.5m wide sidewalk on both the sides. However, sidewalk width varies beyond 1.5m wherever there is sufficient ROW available. Figure-9 Typical Section – Dr. Ambedkar Road http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 1480 [email protected] Modernisation of an Existing Urban Road-Sector in Chennai, A Case Study Report Ashok Nagar Fourth Avenue: The minimum ROW at Fourth Avenue is 23.0m. The proposed typical section comprises of 500mm wide median, 7.5m wide two lane dual carriageway on both the sides, 3.75m wide utility strip cum sidewalk on both the sides.