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http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2017/08/22/dhakas-transport-system-might-like-2019/
What Dhaka’s transport system might be like in 2019
Photo:Mehedi Hasan
'The government has massive plans for Dhaka city to increase traffic speed and improve living standards following integrated ways'
Most of Dhaka’s residents will agree that traffic jams are the number one problem that they face in this city.
A recent World Bank analysis says Dhaka’s average traffic speed has dropped from 21km/h to 7km/h in the last 10 years, slightly above the average walking speed. Traffic gridlock eats up 3.2 million work hours per day.
Another study by Copenhagen Consensus Center says the speed in Dhaka is now 6.4km/h, and if vehicle growth continues at its current pace, without substantial public transport the average speed may fall to 4.7km by 2035.
Concerned government offices may disagree about the numbers, but they agree that traffic is slowing down. The government has already revised the Strategic Transport Plan for 20 years (2015-2035) to enhance traffic speed.
In 2019, the traffic situation in the capital is expected to get a major boost with the completion of three major infrastructure projects and other major changes in public transport.
“The government has massive plans for Dhaka city to increase traffic speed and improve living standards following integrated ways,” said Local Government Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain.
Even though Dhaka is only 1% of the country’s total area, it is contributing 36% to the GDP and has created 44% of the country’s total employment, he said.
“We have already taken some projects to improve Dhaka’s traffic gradually. The improvement will be seen within a short time after implementation of metro rail, Bus Rapid Transit and other projects,” said MAN Siddique, the Road Transport and Highways Division secretary.
Officials say Dhaka’s traffic will become faster and traffic management system will improve in the coming years.
According to the RSTP, the government will build five metro rail lines, two rapid bus routes, 1,200km of new roadways, six flyovers and three ring roads in Dhaka by 2035.
However, a metro rail line between Uttara to Motijheel, a rapid bus line between Gazipur to Mohakhali will be built by 2019.
Metro rail and BRT
The metro rail will carry 60,000 passengers per hour while the BRT buses will carry 20,000 people. This will speed up Dhaka’s traffic and ensure reaching destinations on time. If a commuter gets on the metro from Uttara at 9am, they will reach Motijeel by 9.38am. The BRT bus will ply over dedicated road corridors without any interruption by other traffic.
Once MRT and BRT begin operating, they are expected to reduce pressure on existing roadways. Both projects will open by 2019.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway
The Bridges Division is implementing the first Dhaka Elevated Expressway for smooth traffic between Airport and Dhaka-Chittagong highway. The project will be implemented by 2019. The 21km flyover will have 24km ramps landing at different places in the city.
Vehicles will move over the elevated flyover without any level-crossing or intersection.
Colour-coded bus service
The government will form six transport companies to operate 4,000 new buses on six major routes instead of 165 existing routes to ensure discipline into the public transport system.
Currently, around 4,500 buses run in Dhaka, owned by nearly 2,000 small businessmen. These buses engage in aggressive competition on the roads, raising the risk of accidents. By incorporating these owners into six companies, the authorities aim to bring order and better service to Dhaka’s public transport.
Tribune File Photo
Smart card
Passengers will be able to pay their fares through smart cards that will be useable in metro rail, BRT and water transport.
Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has already started work to introduce “rapid pass,” a digital fare collection system for commuters. Initially the rapid pass will be introduced in BRTC air-conditioned buses on a pilot basis and will be finally implemented by the beginning of 2019.
The rapid pass will be designed as “One Card for All Transport” and initially 50,000 cards will be produced with a cost Tk39 crore. A commuter will have to pay Tk400 to buy a rapid pass.
Digital traffic system
The Dhaka North and South city corporations are implementing a digital signal system. The project is being implemented under the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project funded by the World Bank.
The traffic police will get remotes to control the lights and will be able to decide when they
go green or red under the new system.
Water transport
The government has already started the water taxi service in Hatirjheel linking Moghbazar, Rampura and Gulshan. The service will be extended to Gulshan 2 and Baridhara.
The service has already gained popularity, but people have yet to take it seriously as a daily commute.
Ride sharing
After Uber was launched in Dhaka, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) began drafting a guideline for ride sharing in response. Two other local ride sharing companies are gaining popularity. Alhough yet unauthorised, authorities have welcomed the businesses and believe they can contribute to reducing congestion in Dhaka.
BRTA Secretary Muhammad Sawkat Ali said: “Ride sharing will increase day by day. As per our estimation, around 50% of private car owners will be involved in these app-based networks.”
“When MRT, BRT and the colour-coded buses start operating in the city, traffic speed should improve,” said Shamsul Haque, professor of civil engineering at Bangladesh University of Science and Technology.
“BRT or MRT can ensure that a passenger will reach their destination on scheduled time. But the big question is whether the government will operate these systems properly,” he added.
What Dhaka’s transport system might be like in 2019
- Shohel Mamun
- Published at 01:10 AM August 22, 2017
Photo:Mehedi Hasan
'The government has massive plans for Dhaka city to increase traffic speed and improve living standards following integrated ways'
Most of Dhaka’s residents will agree that traffic jams are the number one problem that they face in this city.
A recent World Bank analysis says Dhaka’s average traffic speed has dropped from 21km/h to 7km/h in the last 10 years, slightly above the average walking speed. Traffic gridlock eats up 3.2 million work hours per day.
Another study by Copenhagen Consensus Center says the speed in Dhaka is now 6.4km/h, and if vehicle growth continues at its current pace, without substantial public transport the average speed may fall to 4.7km by 2035.
Concerned government offices may disagree about the numbers, but they agree that traffic is slowing down. The government has already revised the Strategic Transport Plan for 20 years (2015-2035) to enhance traffic speed.
In 2019, the traffic situation in the capital is expected to get a major boost with the completion of three major infrastructure projects and other major changes in public transport.
“The government has massive plans for Dhaka city to increase traffic speed and improve living standards following integrated ways,” said Local Government Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain.
Even though Dhaka is only 1% of the country’s total area, it is contributing 36% to the GDP and has created 44% of the country’s total employment, he said.
“We have already taken some projects to improve Dhaka’s traffic gradually. The improvement will be seen within a short time after implementation of metro rail, Bus Rapid Transit and other projects,” said MAN Siddique, the Road Transport and Highways Division secretary.
Officials say Dhaka’s traffic will become faster and traffic management system will improve in the coming years.
According to the RSTP, the government will build five metro rail lines, two rapid bus routes, 1,200km of new roadways, six flyovers and three ring roads in Dhaka by 2035.
However, a metro rail line between Uttara to Motijheel, a rapid bus line between Gazipur to Mohakhali will be built by 2019.
Metro rail and BRT
The metro rail will carry 60,000 passengers per hour while the BRT buses will carry 20,000 people. This will speed up Dhaka’s traffic and ensure reaching destinations on time. If a commuter gets on the metro from Uttara at 9am, they will reach Motijeel by 9.38am. The BRT bus will ply over dedicated road corridors without any interruption by other traffic.
Once MRT and BRT begin operating, they are expected to reduce pressure on existing roadways. Both projects will open by 2019.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway
The Bridges Division is implementing the first Dhaka Elevated Expressway for smooth traffic between Airport and Dhaka-Chittagong highway. The project will be implemented by 2019. The 21km flyover will have 24km ramps landing at different places in the city.
Vehicles will move over the elevated flyover without any level-crossing or intersection.
Colour-coded bus service
The government will form six transport companies to operate 4,000 new buses on six major routes instead of 165 existing routes to ensure discipline into the public transport system.
Currently, around 4,500 buses run in Dhaka, owned by nearly 2,000 small businessmen. These buses engage in aggressive competition on the roads, raising the risk of accidents. By incorporating these owners into six companies, the authorities aim to bring order and better service to Dhaka’s public transport.
Tribune File Photo
Smart card
Passengers will be able to pay their fares through smart cards that will be useable in metro rail, BRT and water transport.
Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has already started work to introduce “rapid pass,” a digital fare collection system for commuters. Initially the rapid pass will be introduced in BRTC air-conditioned buses on a pilot basis and will be finally implemented by the beginning of 2019.
The rapid pass will be designed as “One Card for All Transport” and initially 50,000 cards will be produced with a cost Tk39 crore. A commuter will have to pay Tk400 to buy a rapid pass.
Digital traffic system
The Dhaka North and South city corporations are implementing a digital signal system. The project is being implemented under the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project funded by the World Bank.
The traffic police will get remotes to control the lights and will be able to decide when they
go green or red under the new system.
Water transport
The government has already started the water taxi service in Hatirjheel linking Moghbazar, Rampura and Gulshan. The service will be extended to Gulshan 2 and Baridhara.
The service has already gained popularity, but people have yet to take it seriously as a daily commute.
Ride sharing
After Uber was launched in Dhaka, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) began drafting a guideline for ride sharing in response. Two other local ride sharing companies are gaining popularity. Alhough yet unauthorised, authorities have welcomed the businesses and believe they can contribute to reducing congestion in Dhaka.
BRTA Secretary Muhammad Sawkat Ali said: “Ride sharing will increase day by day. As per our estimation, around 50% of private car owners will be involved in these app-based networks.”
“When MRT, BRT and the colour-coded buses start operating in the city, traffic speed should improve,” said Shamsul Haque, professor of civil engineering at Bangladesh University of Science and Technology.
“BRT or MRT can ensure that a passenger will reach their destination on scheduled time. But the big question is whether the government will operate these systems properly,” he added.
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