PREFACE In response to a request from the Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Government of Japan decided to conduct “The Study of Master Plan on Comprehensive Transport in Vientiane” and entrusted to the study to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA selected and dispatched a study team headed by Mr. Tatsuyuki Sakurai of Katahira and Engineers International between April, 2007 and August, 2008. The team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic and conducted field surveys at the study area. Upon returning to Japan, the team conducted further studies and prepared this final report. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of this project and to the enhancement of friendly relationship between our two countries. Finally, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the officials concerned of the Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic for their close cooperation extended to the study. September, 2008 EIJI HASHIMOTO, Deputy Vice President Japan International Cooperation Agency Mr. Eiji Hashimoto, Deputy Vice President Japan International Cooperation Agency September 2008 Dear Sir, Letter of Transmittal We are pleased to submit herewith the Final Report of the “The Study of Master Plan on Comprehensive Transport in Vientiane”. The report compiles the results of the Study and includes the advices and suggestions of the authorities concerned of the Government of Japan and your agency as well as the comments made by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The report analyses the present and future conditions and demand of transport in Vientiane. It comprehensively covers the issues of transport including road, public transport, traffic management, traffic safety, institution, financing and environment. The report proposes ‘Completion of Road Network Scenario’ and ‘Bus Favored Scenario’ as the optimum scenario for comprehensive urban transport master plan with the target year in 2025. Also the report proposes 50 road projects, 5 bridge projects and 7 intersection improvement projects which are to be implemented in Short Term: 2009-2013, Medium Term: 2014-2018, and Long Term: 2019-2025. We wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to your agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. We also wish to express our deep gratitude to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, as well as other Governmental Agencies concerned in Lao People’s Democratic Republic for the close cooperation and assistance extended to us during the Study. We hope this report will contribute to the development of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Very truly yours, Tatsuyuki Sakurai Team Leader, The Study of Master Plan on Comprehensive Transport in Vientiane, Lao PDR The Study of Master Plan on Comprehensive Urban Transport in Vientiane FINAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL LOCATION MAP ABBREVIATIONS PARTⅠ INTRODUCTION Page CHAPTER 1 THE STUDY ..................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 BACKGROUND................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY.......................................................................... 1-2 1.3 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY.................................................................... 1-2 1.4 STUDY FRAMEWORK....................................................................................... 1-4 PARTⅡ PRESENT SITUATION CHAPTER 2 PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA ................................................................ 2-1 2.1 PHYSICAL PROFILE.......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.1 Meteorology ............................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.2 Topography ............................................................................................. 2-1 2.1.3 Geology................................................................................................... 2-2 2.1.4 Hydrography ........................................................................................... 2-2 2.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION..................................................................... 2-4 2.2.1 Demography ............................................................................................ 2-4 2.2.2 Economy ................................................................................................. 2-8 2.2.3 Social Condition...................................................................................... 2-12 2.2.4 Land Use ................................................................................................. 2-15 2.2.5 Land Price ............................................................................................... 2-20 CHAPTER 3 DEVELOPMENT PLANS, STUDIES AND PROJECTS............................. 3-1 3.1 DEVELOPMENT PLANS.................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 National Socio –Economic Development Plan (2006-2010) .................. 3-1 3.1.2 Transport Sector Development Plan........................................................ 3-7 3.1.3 Regional and Urban Development Plan .................................................. 3-9 3.1.4 Sixth Five Years Social Economic Development Plan (2006 -2010) of Vientiane ............................................................................................. 3-9 i 3.1.5 Transportation Development Plan in Year 2010 and Vision in Year 2020 in Vientiane............................................................................ 3-19 3.1.6 Urban Development Plan of Vientiane.................................................... 3-20 3.2 EXISTING STUDIES ON URBAN TRANSPORT IN VIENTIANE.................. 3-21 3.2.1 National Development Plan .................................................................... 3-21 3.2.2 Land Use and City Planning.................................................................... 3-21 3.2.3 Road Network ......................................................................................... 3-21 3.2.4 Transport Plan ......................................................................................... 3-22 3.2.5 Transport and Facilities ........................................................................... 3-22 3.2.6 Institutional Structure and Legislation .................................................... 3-23 3.3 MAJOR PROJECTS FOR URBAN TRANSPORT IN VIENTIANE.................. 3-24 3.3.1 On-going Projects.................................................................................... 3-24 3.3.2 Planned Projects...................................................................................... 3-25 CHAPTER 4 EXISTING ROAD NETWORK...................................................................... 4-1 4.1 ROAD CLASSIFICATION .................................................................................. 4-1 4.1.1 Administrative Road Classification ........................................................ 4-1 4.1.2 Functional Road Classification ............................................................... 4-3 4.2 EXISTING ROAD CONDITION......................................................................... 4-5 4.2.1 Road Inventory Survey............................................................................ 4-5 4.2.2 Cross Section, Surface Type and Condition............................................ 4-5 4.3 BRIDGE CONDITION......................................................................................... 4-10 4.4 DRAINAGE CONDITION................................................................................... 4-14 CHAPTER 5 TRAFFIC SURVEY AND ANALYSIS ........................................................... 5-1 5.1 METHODOLOGY................................................................................................ 5-1 5.1.1 Zoning ..................................................................................................... 5-3 5.2 PERSON TRIP SURVEY ..................................................................................... 5-6 5.2.1 Methodology ........................................................................................... 5-6 5.2.2 Survey Results......................................................................................... 5-6 5.2.3 Characteristics of Person Trip ................................................................. 5-6 5.3 CORDON LINE SURVEY ................................................................................... 5-9 5.3.1 Methodology ........................................................................................... 5-9 5.3.2 Survey Results......................................................................................... 5-9 5.4 SCREEN LINE SURVEY..................................................................................... 5-11 5.4.1 Methodology ........................................................................................... 5-11 5.4.2 Survey Results......................................................................................... 5-11 5.5 TRAFFIC COUNT SURVEY ............................................................................... 5-12 5.5.1 Methodology ..........................................................................................