Managing capital's traffic

The world is talking about intelligent transportation systems – transportation systems that use information technology and communications technology as part of the infrastructure to manage and operate traffic smoothly. Looking at the condition of Nepal’s transportation system, is it possible to imagine the arrival of such systems in the present context? The answer will certainly be no.



Our traffic system is mainly controlled and operated manually by traffic police. Although traffic lights are installed at some of the main intersections of Kathmandu, they do not seem to be able to control and manage traffic properly and independently during peak hours at most of these crossings, as suggested by their replacement with traffic police during these hours.



Having a disproportionately large number of vehicles for its mostly narrow roads is seen as the main cause of traffic problems in Kathmandu; but the main problem is, rather, incompetent management of traffic. Buses, mini buses, taxis, private cars, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, bicycles, pedestrians and rickshaws share the roads of Kathmandu. Because of the differences in speed of these different types of modes of transportation, free flow of traffic is disturbed. Absence of Right of Way and lenient rules are the other reasons of congestion. The increasing number of vehicles on the roads coupled with driver indiscretion and rudimentary infrastructure make for a potent combination, making traffic jams a routine nightmare on the roads of Kathmandu.



All these problems can be solved to an extent. The widening of roads seems like a commonsense solution to the traffic problems but, in the long run, it is not the solution because this is believed to motivate consumers to buy more private vehicles. Widening of the roads is nothing more than merely using a disposable bandage to treat a severe fracture.



Improvement of transportation infrastructure and proper traffic management should be the focus when tackling traffic problems in Kathmandu. The question then arises: What does traffic management mean specifically? There are various aspects of traffic management of which strict implementation of traffic rules and proper use of traffic lights are two of them. The vital and relevant aspect of traffic management in terms of the transportation system of Kathmandu, though, would be the development of an effective and integrated bus transit system.



The integrated bus system with high-passenger-capacity vehicles would markedly improve the situation of traffic in Kathmandu. The proper implementation of bus transit would be followed by the removal of low capacity public vehicles from the city, alleviating the problem of speed differences on the road as a result. Subsequently, this will lead to a modal shift from private vehicles to the public bus, which would finally reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. Proper bus transit refers to the use of high-passenger-capacity vehicles with comfortable seats, dependable timetable, integrated ticketing system, good interconnections, organized bus stops and easy transfer. The system should be reliable, punctual, safe and comfortable. Transportation problems cannot simply be solved with money: A lifestyle change has to occur.



Motorcycles are another factor in the urban transportation system of Kathmandu. The solution is not banning them but motivating the motorcycle riders to shift to public transportation (bus, in this case) with facilities like Park and Ride (P+R). Public buses need to be better and cheaper in order to compete with motorcycles.



Car owners are a minority in a developing country’s cities but they do wield most of the political power, which leads to the development of city traffic advantageous to private vehicles. This trend is apparent in the city of Kathmandu as well, which is discouraging the public to use public transportation and encouraging them to buy private vehicles (either cars or motorcycles). This trend is one of the main obstructions in the proper management of traffic. Kathmandu needs to be friendly to people, not to cars.



Just trying to solve the traffic congestion with more or wider roads in Kathmandu is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline; therefore, the long-term solution should be to focus on the development of an effective bus transit system. Implementation of an integrated bus transit system and proper management of traffic would help bring smooth flow of traffic to street of Kathmandu and would ultimately change the face of Nepal’s capital city.



(Writer holds an MSc on Transportation Systems from the Technical University, Munich, Germany.)

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