Adjusting Work Hours to Reduce

Traffic Congestion in Colombo

Amal S. Kumarage

Chairman, National Transport Commission

Presentation to Ministry of Public Administration

1st Dec 2008

People Coming to Colombo

• 830,000 people arrive to the City from outside every day.

• Of this, 90% arrive by road 10% by rail.

• The road passengers enter the city through 12 roads and 3 railway lines.

• The road passengers enter the city through 12 roads and 3 railway lines.

Vehicles Coming to Colombo

• 750,000 people arrive to the city by road.• They arrive in 200,000 vehicles made up as.

– 11,000 buses

– 15,000 goods vehicles and

– 175,000 private vehicles

• Presently 15% of the road space is utilized for buses and vans even though they transport 80% of the road passengers. even though they transport 80% of the road passengers.

• On the other hand, 65% of the road space is used by private and hired vehicles which in sum total carry only 38% of the passengers.

• The balance 20% are for goods vehicles.

• In addition to the vehicles entering the city, there are a further 250,000 vehicles registered within the Colombo Municipal Area.

Mainly 10 Major Corridors provide access

to Colombo City Centre

Vehicular Flow into Colombo CityNegombo Rd

Kandy Rd

Avissawella Rd

Kolonnawa Rd

Kotte Rd

Parliament Rd

Narahenpita Rd

Galle Rd

Highlevel Rd

Lowlevel Rd

Transport in Colombo City (in and out)

Daily Passengers in Both Directions at the CMC Boundary (1965-2005) Corridor Pax

1965 (000s)

AAGR 65-85 %

Pax 1985 (000s)

AAGR 85-95 %

Pax 1995 (000s)

AAGR 95-05 %

Pax 2005 (000s)

Galle Road 91 5.8% 279 1.7% 331 1.0% 365

Neg’bo & Kandy Rds 118 6.2% 400 3.6% 607 -1.0% 553 Ratnapura Rd 62 4.2% 141 3.9% 206 -0.5% 196 Ratnapura Rd 62 4.2% 141 3.9% 206 -0.5% 196

Cotta Rd/SJP Rd 45 3.5% 89 10.8% 249 1.3% 278 Horana Rd 21 5.2% 58 8.1% 126 -1.3% 111

Wellampitiya Rd 38 2.0% 56 0.1% 59 -0.3% 57

Narahenpita Rd 12 6.2% 40 0.1% 35 2.8% 46 Ambatale Rd 32 12.0% 63 -0.8% 58 TOTAL 387 5.3% 1,095 4.4% 1,676 -0.6% 1,572

Passenger growth was 4-5% per year from 1965 to 1995, but has become negative

after 1995.

Growth of ‘traffic’ to Colombo (in

and out)

Year Private

Vehicles

Buses Goods

Vehicles

Total

1995 203,215 27,084 24,158 254,457

2005 321,249 22,835 30,296 374,381 2005 321,249 22,835 30,296 374,381

Period Growth 58% -16% 25% 47%

Growth p.a. 4.7% -1.7% 2.3% 3.9%

•Growth of Passenger Traffic - 06%

•Growth of Vehicle Traffic + 47%

•Growth of Demand for Road Space + 32%

Period 1995-2005

3%

3%

2%Where are these private vehicles traveling ?

12hr Flow towards Colombo

City at the boundary of CMC

Generation of TrafficGeneration of Traffic

Attraction of Traffic

• Supreme Court Case No 87/2007: Regarding Reducing Traffic Congestion in the Western Province

1. To study and implement

flexible work hours and

staggered work hours. To

reduce traffic peaks by

smoothening demand

A letter has been sent to the Secretary of

Ministry of Public Administration

requesting a meeting for further action

on 08.10.2008. A reminder has been

sent last week.

NTC

•Solution 1: More Roads/Expressways/Flyovers?

Impossible ! , Will need to add 1 new road to City every 4 years.

•Solution 2: Transferring people coming in low occupancy

vehicles to public transport?

Possible ! – Many projects such as Premium Bus Service, Park Possible ! – Many projects such as Premium Bus Service, Park and Ride, Bus Lane, New Terminals, Improving existing rail and bus etc. On going under 3 year plan submitted to Supreme Court

•Solution 3: Reducing traffic at Peak Periods?

Possible ! - Three practices in other countries,•Flexible Hours•Staggered Hours•Compressed Work Weeks

PlatooningCongested

Start to be free

Flow Rate

Identification of Peak Period Phenomenon

Increasing Flow

Rate with increasing rate

of change of flow rate

Flow rate increases with

Constant or decreasing

rate of change of Flow

Rate

Flow rate decreases with

constant or increasing rate

of change of Flow Rate

Decreasing Flow

Rate with decreasing rate

of change of flow ratePeak Period

Time

Impact of Peak depends on the duration of peak and its magnitude.

General Pattern of Corridor Flows to CMC

Total Vehicle Flow(Smoothened)

1000

1200

1400

Corridor:Colombo-Negombo Road Location:Peliyagoda Link No: A003-030 Date:09/06/04

A

0

200

400

600

800

7.0

0-7

.30

7.3

0-8

.00

8.0

0-8

.30

8.3

0-9

.00

9.0

0-9

.30

9.3

0-1

0.0

0

10

.00

-10

.30

10

.30

-11

.00

11

.00

-11

.30

11

.30

-12

.00

12

.00

-12

.30

12

.30

-13

.00

13

.00

-13

.30

13

.30

-14

.00

14

.00

-14

.30

14

.30

-15

.00

15

.00

-15

.30

15

.30

-16

.00

16

.00

-16

.30

16

.30

-17

.00

17

.00

-17

.30

17

.30

-18

.00

18

.00

-18

.30

18

.30

-19

.00

Time

Flo

w/3

0 m

init

s

To Colombo

From Colombo

A

B

Average Flow

If at any peak, Area A> 0.3 x Area B, Then peak has to be

treated to reduce the economic loss incurred due to time loss

Total Vehicle Flow(Smoothened)

1000

1200

1400

1600

Flo

w/3

0 m

init

s

Corridor: A1sp,Parliament Road Location:Rajagiriya Link No:A000-130 Date:04/03/04

Average Flow

0

200

400

600

800

7.0

0-7

.30

7.3

0-8

.00

8.0

0-8

.30

8.3

0-9

.00

9.0

0-9

.30

9.3

0-1

0.0

0

10

.00

-10

.30

10

.30

-11

.00

11

.00

-11

.30

11

.30

-12

.00

12

.00

-12

.30

12

.30

-13

.00

13

.00

-13

.30

13

.30

-14

.00

14

.00

-14

.30

14

.30

-15

.00

15

.00

-15

.30

15

.30

-16

.00

16

.00

-16

.30

16

.30

-17

.00

17

.00

-17

.30

17

.30

-18

.00

18

.00

-18

.30

18

.30

-19

.00

Time

Flo

w/3

0 m

init

s

To Colombo

From Colombo

Average Flow

Peak

Period

Flex- time

� Employees work five eight-hour days in each week but they are allowed to choose their work arrival and departure times as well as the length of the lunch hour

� Employees has to be present during a specific “ core” time when meetings or company other wide events are scheduled

6.00 pm

Flex-DepartureCore timeFlex LunchCore TimeFlex-Arrival

Flex time Work Hours

7.00 am 4.00 pm12.00 noon9.00 am 2.00 pm12.00 noon

Standard Work Hours

8.00 am 5.00 pm

Time

Interval

Flow

in

MC

C

Probable

HBW

Trips

Divided Flow componentsProbab

le After

1 FH

Reducti

on in

total

Flow

Probab

le Flow

with

1FH7.00-

7.307.30-8.00 8.00-8.30 8.30-9.00 9.00-9.30 9.30-10.00

7.00-7.30 8591 6046 4400 4400 1646 6945

7.30-8.00 8923 4903 1041 2534 4275 1328 7595

8.00-8.30 9072 5991 2368 1800 4448 1823 7249

8.30-9.00 7536 4966 2580 1853 4253 533 7003

9.00-9.30 6067 3826 1440 1253 2313 4206 -1180 7247

9.30-10.00 5501 2801 1553 1513 1325 4391 -1590 7091

10.00-10.30 5170 2641 1325 3966 -1325 6495

10.30-11.00 5561 2439 2439 5561

11.00-11.30 5119 2038 2038 5119

11.30-12.00 5079 2032 2032 507911.30-12.00 5079 2032 2032 5079

12.00-12.30 5327 1619 1619 5327

12.30-13.00 4802 1533 1533 4802

13.00-13.30 4838 1285 1285 4838

13.30-14.00 4677 780 780 4677

14.00-14.30 4036 1058 1058 4036

14.30-15.00 4050 1261 1261 4050

15.00-15.30 4233 1381 1381 4233

15.30-16.00 4477 1506 1506 4477

16.00-16.30 4657 1687 1687 4657

16.30-17.00 4968 1807 1807 4968

17.00-17.30 4590 1923 1923 4590

17.30-18.00 4511 1866 1866 4511

18.00-18.30 3997 1999 1999 3997

1. Early rising- person who prefers starting work at 7.00 am……….

2. A person who prefers to enjoy leisure in the evening……….

3. Working Parent who has a child to drop school at 8.00 am and

then report to work at 8.45am………….

4. A person who likes to avoid rush hour traffic and crowded public

transport……..

Who would personally benefit from Flexible Hours,

Work Place Issues

1. Making arrangements for opening and closing hours.

2. Additional energy costs.

3. Some organisations require all employees to be at station to

begin work

Benefits of Variable Working Hours

For the Institution,

� Increased employee productivity as they can arrive less tired

� Improved employee morale

� Reduced employee absenteeism and tardiness

� Greater ability to recruit and retain working parents� Greater ability to recruit and retain working parents

� Recognition as a good corporate citizen for helping reduce traffic congestion and air pollution

� Good reputation among workers

For your Employees,

� Improved job satisfaction

� Reduced commuting time and stress

� More flexibility for leisure activities and regular family affairs

� Fewer problems with child care pick-up and drop-off arrangements

� Opportunities to work during peak productive hours

� Better able to manage personal and professional responsibilities

� Be a part of the congestion and air pollution solution

Present Flex Hours

• National Transport Commission- has 45 minute flex

window since 2005. A recent survey showed nearly 70%

are more satisfied than before, with around 20% saying

they are not effected either way and about 10% saying

they are worse off.

• The latter are train travellers who are actually not worse

off but do not benefit when trains arrive late in the

morning as the time they arrive is then not under their

control.

• Similar results from CEB offices, some private sector

offices

Staggered Work Hours

This concept involves spreading out employee arrival and departure times by sector anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.

A city that has staggered work hour may be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the following schedule choices:choices:

Group A 7:30 - 4:30 with 1 hour lunch

Group B 8:00 - 5:00 with 1 hour lunch

Group C 8:30 - 5:30 with 1 hour lunch

Gr. CGr. BGr. A

Core TimeLunchCore TimeArrival

4.30 pm8.00 am7.30 am 8.30 am 12.30 pm 1.30 pm 5.00 pm 5.30 pm

Departure

Gr. A Gr. B Gr. C

Some Suggestions for Colombo• Schools

– Government – 730 AM to 130PM

– Private – 745AM to 145 PM

– International – 8AM onwards

– Tertiary – 830 AM onwards

• Offices• Offices– Government – 815 AM to 445 PM

– Semi-Government – 830 AM to 5PM

– Private 845 to 515 PM

• Trade– Banking Sector – 9 AM onwards

– Retail Trade – 9 30 onwards

Compressed Work Week

Employees complete their required number of work hours in fewer-than-normal days per week .

�This arrangement allows employees to have one or two days off each week or one day off every other week, depending upon which type of compressed work week depending upon which type of compressed work week program you prefer.

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.

8 hr Schedule on on on on on off off

10 hr Schedule on on on on off off off

The two most popular compressed work week schedules are the 4/40 and 9/80 programs, although other variations also exist.

4/40 Program

Employees work four 10-hour days each week, with the fifth day off. To ensure five-day coverage, you may want to consider having half the company take Mondays off and half take Fridays off.

9/80 Program

Employees work 80 hours in nine days, with the 10th day off. This schedule usually translates to eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day.

Compressed Work Week Considerations

� There must be adequate coverage in the office for employees who are taking their day off. Generally, this means that not everyone takes the

same day off. Given the choice, most employees elect to take Friday as their

day off, followed in order of preference by Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,

and Tuesday.

� rotate days off every six months so that every employee gets a three-day weekendthree-day weekend

� For small departments or work groups to have everyone take the same

day off and simply close down the department for the day

�Employees who must attend important meetings may change their

scheduled day off with advance notice.

�Some employees may need to be exempt from the compressed work week

program because of child- care duties, medical reasons, transportation

problems or conflicts with school and also considering the nature of the job

Thank You