PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN DEHRADOON CITY

Abstract

Cities in the developing world are in search of sustainable solutions to their accessibility and mobility issues. The process is complicated due to the rapid pace of urbanization, which is characterized by motorization, the co-existence of motorized and non-motorized modes, deteriorating public transport services and institutions and deteriorating air quality. Travel demands have grown faster than the population and the expansion of the city, resulting in movement between the city center and suburbs. A variety of modes such as walking, cycling, two-wheelers, Para-transit, public transport, cars etc. are used to meet the travel needs in urban areas. Public transit systems world over are struggling to compete with private modes and the shift is noticeable in the developing countries as well; the predominant modes being cars, two wheelers and other intermediary modes. The agencies operating public transport often fail to respond to demands. The resultant outcomes in most Indian cities have been of increasing congestion due to increasing private modes, accidents and rising air pollution levels. To make matters worse, differentiation between higher end transit technologies in terms of costs and performance is becoming blurred. Difficulties in foretelling the traffic levels, mode choice, affordability and willingness to pay for better services have compounded the problem. In the light of these, the city of Dehradun is attempting to develop an integrated solution to meet its accessibility and mobility requirements.