Introduction

The traffic control department located in Sinha Durbar is responsible for the overall traffic management in the Kathmandu valley. It is also the central department for the coordination and deployment of the overall traffic policies in the country. Our reason for choosing this institution was that it could provide us with the necessary data and insights regarding the overall traffic management situation in the country. Likewise it would also provide us with the ways and means these problems could be overcome or the practices being followed to mitigate them.

Methodology

The methodology we have applied for gathering the information is through direct open ended conversation with a traffic personnel. In the same regard we have also gathered secondary information from the web. These information come in the form of opinions, recommendations, suggestions and policies enacted. Meanwhile we have also taken care not to neglect the opinion of the general public who have their own say on the situation presented.

Restraining forces

Increased number of vehicles -4Nepal now witnesses heavy growth in the use of vehicles. A total of 12,80,690 vehicles were registered with the Department of Transport and Management in the fiscal year 069/070. The figure for vehicle registration was only 11,78,911 in the fiscal year 068/069 and 1015271 in the fiscal year 067/068. We can therefore see the increase in the number of vehicle registration by 16.11 % and 8.63% in the fiscal year 068/069 and 069/070 respectively. Thus there has been continuous growth in the number of vehicles each year in Nepal. As the vehicles increase, the roads do not increase likewise. It therefore leads to increased congestion with more vehicle flowing per square kilometer than ever before.

Unplanned urbanization- 5The major cities in Nepal like Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Birgunj are subjected to unplanned urbanizations. These have led to shrinking of the available land mass without room for much development effort. In the process the roads, temple complexes and other public infrastructures have been encroached. The development of these cities are themselves not systematic with construction permits being issued without considering the societal and environment impacts of such developments. Moreover piling of construction materials by the roadside, setting up shops by street vendors and hawkers is a common sight which affects movement of traffic.

Lack of knowledge about traffic rules/ignorance- 4Given the dire situation of traffic especially in cities like Kathmandu, accidents are far too common. The traffic control departments reports incidents of accidents by the thousands each year among which the amount of fatal ones are on serious rise. Most of such accidents can be attributed to lack of knowledge of traffic rules or deliberate ignorance. On the other hand, lack of proper roads and signals to accompany them lots of accidents occur.

Lack of government budget/cost - 1The government budget is basically expended in education and health sectors of Nepal. Although a significant amount is allocated for development of transport most of them get expended in expansion activities with a few minor repairs. This has not been sufficient in the construction of a well planned and organized transport grid especially in major cities like Kathmandu. Moreover because of frequent political turmoil the development activities get stranded for a significant period of time.

Corruption – 3The major reason for the slow development of transport sector in Nepal can be owed to increased corruption and bureaucracy in the country. Most of the allocated budget is subject to embezzlement by the authorities. They resort to cheap materials and contractors and sloppy work that leads to tremendous financial drains for the country’s economy. In such a situation the country tends to seek foreign aids in the undertaking of major commercial road development projects.

Resistance from the public- 1In most cases the development efforts are hindered by public resistance. In the absence of proper evacuation and rehabilitation plans and shortsightedness on the part of the government has been met with increased resistance from the public.

Pushing Forces

Shortened travel times- 3

Good roads and transit systems would save commuters lots of valuable time. Congestion tends to waste lots of people’s time in traffic. Thus with good traffic management systems there would be less congestion and stopping times, along with proper mitigation for accident cases which would reduce travel time significantly.

Improved traffic flow/ Fuel savings- 5

Open roads and free flowing traffic leads to less stopping and thus saving lots of precious fuel. There are other obvious benefits that free flowing traffic could also provide. They would be proper pick up and drop off locations for buses, following lane discipline and clearer road regulations.

Less number of accidents- 1

When there are vehicles flowing more smoothly following the necessary lane discipline which is easier to maintain in a well managed traffic system, there would be a significant reduction in the number of accidents that occur.

Better utilization of available traffic manpower- 2

Compared to highly congested traffic where lots of traffic manpower have to be deployed to take care of aggravated situations in a well managed system most of the traffic would be under control with the help of automated signals and traffic control departments. When traffic systems reach that level of organization most of the traffic personnel can be deployed to take care of other important activities. Therefore rather than fighting fires every day the traffic control department can focus on building the efficiency of the traffic system.

Lane Discipline is easy to enforce- 2

Lane discipline would be easy to enforce in a well managed traffic system. The roads, the signals and the laws have to be clearly specified for such a system to be effectively implemented.

Ease and safety of pedestrians - 3

A well managed traffic system is incomplete unless the safety and convenience of pedestrians are well taken care of. Safe overhead, subway crossings, zebra crossings and proper roadside sidewalks should be made available for pedestrians.

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Restraining Forces

Pushing Forces

Increased number of vehicles Corruption

Cost

Knowledge/ ignorance of traffic rules

Unplanned Urbanization

Shortened travel time

Fuel Savings

Less Accidents Lane

DisciplineBetter Utilization of manpower

Resistance

Safety of Pedestrians

Desired State

Actual State