SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PLAN OF PATNA

Abstract

Globally 51% of the world population is housed in cities which accounts for only 0.3% of the world's land area, 64% of the travel kilometres are urban and this figure will triple till 2050. This clearly pictures the urban chaos in the cities, and if this remains unaltered then with the current pace, this figure will reach alarmingly high in next few years. Situation of cities in India in terms of traffic and congestion is more disturbing, where pedestrians and NMT infrastructure is given least priority as compared to motorists. Constructing flyovers and widening roads is not the ultimate solution for this mobility crisis. Cities and regions across the country today is pursuing strategies to develop sustainable mobility solution for all mobility needs, as a way to achieve many goals including improved quality of life, reduced congestion, lower transportation costs, improved air quality , safe and sustainable transport solution, good pedestrian and cyclist environment and ability for all category of user to move freely on their own will. Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is a strategic plan which is built on existing planning practices and it involves integration, participatory approach and the evaluation principles in order to satisfy the need of mobility of today's people and for future generation, so that they can have a better quality of life in the city and its vicinity. A mobility plan aims to improve citizen's quality of life by working on four strategic objectives: public transport priority, healthy mobility, traffic order and safety and intelligent travel . Mobility and transportation are very closely related terms which is often mislead to be one, a transportation plan is different to a mobility plan in various respects as the former majorly involves assessing, evaluating, designing and siting of transport facilities (street, highway, bike lanes and public transport lines) whilst the later aims at providing solutions for accessibility to amenities for all and minimizing the externalities in the process, like congestion, pollution and accidents. Sustainable Mobility Plan provides a roadmap for achieving a transportation system that balances the needs of all road users & it incorporates Inclusive Transport principles by laying the policy foundation for future generations.