STRATEGIES FOR SAFER AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORT IN BANGLADESH

The combination of rapid urbanisation and motorization has been a key cause of numerous transport problems in developing cities in Asia. It has resulted in deterioration in accessibility, service levels, safety, comfort, operational efficiency, and the urban environment. This is particularly prevalent in Bangladesh with current urbanisation level at around 24 percent. The rapid urbanisation process, high vehicular population growth and that of the mobility, inadequate transportation facilities and policies, varied traffic mix with over concentration of non-motorised vehicles, absence of dependable public transport system and inadequate traffic management practices and parking facilities have created a significant worsening of traffic and environmental problems in the major urban centres. Urban road accidents are a very serious and growing problem with vast majority of road accident fatalities comprising vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians. The congestion and pollution problems are rapidly spreading to fast growing medium size urban centres as well. The problems of traffic accidents, traffic congestion, emission of noise and pollutants costing the community probahly in the order of US$800 million (nearly 2 percent of GDP) each year. The problems have been further aggravated due to severe institutional and professional weaknesses. Traffic management strategy is seen to contribute significantly to solving congestion problems aimed at improved traffic flow as well as improving the urban environment and safety. In this paper characteristics of urban transportation and consequent mobility, safety and environmental effects are discussed with particular reference to the situation of metropolitan Dhaka. Emphasis has been placed on the mobility needs of the urban poor. Key transport issues and possihle solution strategies for enhancing mobility, safety and the environment by means of better traffic management measures are further discussed in the light of major themes of the conference. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116619.