The impact of no-motorised roads on vehicle traffic flow in Kampala City

Abstract

In Kampala city, non-motorized transport (NMT) modes such as cycling and walking are generally used by poor people to access centers of employment, public services (for example, library, educational institutions, public transport) and other amenities as well as for recreational activities. Notably, the lack of integration among the different public transport modes (namely, NMT, bus, and minibus) creates a major obstacle in the provision of an integrated, sustainable and effective public transport system. Likewise, the absence of proper recognition of NMT in government and social strata creates a problem in the supply of a satisfactory public transport service, that is, a public transport service that meets the needs of all users. Motivated by the re-designing of Namirembe road non – motorized transport corridor into public transport system, the study was undertaken to explore the impact of the non-motorized roads on vehicle traffic flow. Social, environmental and economic factors were explored, specifically -modern theory in urban transport planning and policy. In addition, the study explored enabling factors to find out the effectiveness of the new innervations on Namirembe road from the perspectives of the participants of the study. The results of the study showed that reduction in congestion, environmental sustainability, improvement in the travel experience by the road users, safety promotion to both non-motorized and vehicle users were identified as benefits for the integration of NMT on Namirembe road as a key element of public transport According to the results, government needs to promote NMT use even in other streets of Kampala and also work on traffic impacts as a result of the newly redesigned Namirembe road such as congestion on the various junctions along the road, misbehavior of the different motor vehicle users who encroach on other road users, frequent road maintenance for example on faded signs as well as adequate safety and security measures along NMT route.. Further research is advised, within the wider public transport population in Kampala, as well as other NMT and public transport systems. The emphasis of this research is on finding out the impact of the non-motorized roads on vehicle traffic flow on Namirembe road.