‘TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION’

1. What is demand characteristics of transportation?

ANS- The demand for transport is a derived demand, an economic term, which refers to demand for one good
or service in one sector occurring as a result of demand from another.
• Users of transport are primarily consuming the service not because of its direct benefits, but because
they wish to access other services.
• Transport demand is about the movement of people and goods and we travel in order to satisfy a need
(work, education, recreation etc) and we transport goods as part of the overall economic activity.
for example, work-related activities commonly involve commuting between the place of residence and
the workplace. There is a supply of work in one location (residence) and a demand of laboring another
(workplace), transport (commuting) being directly derived from this relationship, hence a derived
demand.
Transport can also be perceived as an induced or latent demand, that is a demand response to the
addition of transport infrastructure results in traffic volume increases.
• Additional road capacity results in mode shifts, route shifts, redistribution of trips, and generation of
new trips as well as longer trips.

2. Explain in no more than 2 pages the various dimensions of transport

geography.
 ANS- 1. Economics. This dimension is concerned about mobility and its associated costs the costs, the
financing, construction and the maintenance of transport modes and infrastructures. The performance of
transport systems are often measured and justified by economic criteria such as profitability. This
dimension also tries to evaluate the transport demand generated by different sectors of activity.
2. Engineering. Notably concerned by the construction and maintenance of transportation modes and
infrastructures, which relies on technology and techniques related to materials sciences (civil
engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.). A dominant aspect of transport supply is linked to
engineering considerations.
3. Environment / Ecology. Concerned about the impacts of transportation on ecological systems such as
the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the ecosphere. It also considers a wide array of externalities such
as noise and land use. Another dimension of this field involves the impacts of natural conditions, such as
topography and climate, on the operation of transport systems.
4. History. Covers the evolution of transport networks in time and space by trying to identify specific
conditions that have influenced the establishment of transport networks and the technological,
economic and social environments that have produced transport systems.
5. Mathematics and Computer Science. Provide a set of tools and methods to manage information and
to analyze transport related information. Most models applied to transport geography, such as spatial
interaction models, are derived from mathematical methods. Operations research has considerably
contributed to the field of transportation by offering a set of methods to optimize the distribution and
scheduling of transportation resources.
6. Planning and Policy. The political dimension aims to plan and control the transportation system
through several agents, their jurisdiction and their intervention strategies. It is mainly concerned about
the processes and methods for the allocation of transportation resources within corporations and
governments.
7. Sociology and Demography. Covers problems such as accidents, the behavior of drivers and other
social aspects related to modal and spatial choice having an effect on the distance traveled. For instance,
the social costs of car use impose burdens on health and safety systems (police, ambulance, trauma
centers, road signs, etc.). Demographic attributes and changes such as the aging of the population are
also linked with the evolution of transport system, the modes used and the level of services.
8. Technology. Not necessarily a field of study but a consideration of the impacts of technological change
on transportation systems. It is mainly concerned about the efficiency of infrastructures, modes and
motive forces. Successive innovations have brought forward new distribution systems whereas others
have became obsolete and disappeared.

3. What do u understand by TOD and how u see its importance in Indian

context.
ANS- 1. TOD integrates land use and transport planning and aims to develop planned sustainable urban
growth centers, having walkable and livable communes with high density mixed land-use. Citizens have access
to open green and public spaces and at the same time transit facilities are efficiently utilized.
2. TOD focuses on creation of high density mixed land use development in the influence zone of transit
stations, i.e. within the walking distance of (500-800 m) transit station or along the corridor in case the station
spacing is about 1km as shown in Figure. TOD advocates pedestrian trips to access various facilities such as
shopping, entertainment and work.

3. TOD increases the accessibility of the transit stations by creating pedestrian and Non-Motorised Transport
(NMT) friendly infrastructure that benefits large number of people, thereby increasing the ridership of the
transit facility and improving the economic and financial viability of the system. Since the transit corridor has
mixed land-use, where the transit stations are either origin (housing)
or destination (work), the corridor experiencing peak hour traffic in both directions would optimize the use of
the transit system.
As the cities are experiencing rapid growth, transit systems like metro rail, BRTS, etc. are being implemented
to cater to the growing travel demand. It has thus become inevitable to have TOD for all such cities which
have an existing mass transit systems or are planning to do so.
It is the responsibility of the state government to manage the urban spaces, however a National TOD policy
would serve as guidelines and play a catalytic role in formulating state/ city level policies for promotion of
transit oriented development
In this context, it is important for community-based organizations,practitioner, urban local bodies, state/
union territory (UT) governments, Central Government ministries/ departments/ agencies and all other
stakeholders involved in the development of the city, to understand TOD, its benefits and implementation
strategy.
National TOD policy shall be a guiding document for the Central Government ministries/ departments/
agencies to ensure that their schemes, policies, etc. encourage TOD in cities, especially those with
upcoming mass transit systems.
This shall support states and cities to recognize public transport infrastructure as the core around which the
future expansion of urban areas should be planned and the investments in public transport be
directed accordingly.
This shall help all state/ UT governments and urban local bodies in formulation of TOD planning strategies.
3.3. It shall help in the active participation of all stake holders, Government and Non Government
organizations in implementing TOD.
Vision of TOD Policy in India
The vision of the policy is three fold:
1) Enable Transformation: to assist in transformation of cities from private vehicle dependent city to public
transport orienteddevelopment,
2) Accessible Public Transport: to promote the usage of public transport by making it accessible, encourage
green mobility by encouraging people to walk and cycle and at the same time curb pollution and other
negative impacts of motorization.
3) Compact Walkable Communities: to create livable and affordable communities, which are compact and
walkable.
Objectives of TOD Policy in India
TOD integrates land use and transport planning to develop compact growth centers within the influence zone
of 500-800 m on either side of the transit stations i.e. areas within walking distance, to achieve the following
objectives:
1. To promote the use of public transport
2. To provide all the basic needs
3. To establish a dense road network
4. To achieve reduction in the vehicle ownership, traffic & parking demand.
5. To develop inclusive habitat
6. To integrate the EWS and affordable housing
7. To provide all kinds of faculties required for a good quality of life
8. To ensure development of safe society
9. To prevent urban sprawl
10. To reduce carbon footprints.

4. Explain various needs of transport system.

ANS-Urbanization has led to horizontal growth of the cities thus creating problems of urban sprawl. This has
resulted in increase of trip lengths and higher usage of private vehicles, problems of pollution and increased
demand of infrastructure.
To address these issues, many cities have strengthened their public transport by developing mass rapid
transit systems (MRTS) such as metro rails and Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS). It is however, important to
efficiently use these systems by integrating the land use with the transport infrastructure to make the cities
livable, healthy and smart.
Purpose of Transportation
• Minimize efforts
• Minimize time
• Improve productivity
Basic Problems with Transport systems
• Capacity. A basic constraint concerns appropriate capacity, both along a transport route and at a terminal.
The capacity of a transport system is often restricted by its circulation bottlenecks.
• Transfer. Transfer points are crucial as they permit the interface between different transport systems, a
role commonly served by hubs or gateways. For instance, a port is commonly the interface between
maritime and inland systems of circulation while an airport can act as a hub connecting different air
networks such as regional and international.
• Reliability. A multidimensional problem that concern the expectation that a movement will occur within a
specific time and cost range. While a route could be shorter, it may not be as reliable as a longer route.
Congestion is a common factor impairing the reliability of a transport system since it can impose
inconsistent time delays and additional costs.
• Integration. Involves exploiting the benefits of each transport mode so that flows become more reliable
and/or less costly. Integration is sought by intermodal transportation, but also by airline companies
connecting different parts of the world.

5. List and discuss importance, goals & objectives of urban transport.

ANS- Importance of Transportation
• Transportation is essential for providing mobility to the people, and for movement of goods.
• Efficient transportation results in economic, social and political advantages.
• The economic advantages include: expanded market for goods; stabilization of prices in different markets;
and economy of scale by concentration of activities in certain localities and subsequent distribution.
• The social benefits comprise: opportunities for travel for intellectual pursuits and pleasure; access to
medical facilities; and choice of location for home and work.
• The political effects result from promotion of national integration, uniform extension of government
services to various communities, and strengthening of the security of the country.

Urban Transportation
• Due to rapid urbanization, urban transportation issues are of foremost importance to support the
passengers and freight mobility requirements of large urban agglomerations.
• Transportation in urban areas is highly complex because of the modes involved, the multitude of origins
and destinations, and the amount and variety of traffic.
• Traditionally, the focus of urban transportation has been on passengers, however modern urban transport
planning must also consider movements of freight as well.
6. Write a note on principles of TOD in India.
ANS- Principal of TOD
• The main purpose of TOD is to decrease the private car ridership and increase the public transit ridership.
• Transit ridership can be increased if people can easily walk between many destinations at the beginning
and end their trip.
• This can be achieved through providing increased densities, mixed land use (housing, employment, retail,
commercial), pedestrian oriented design within easy walking distances from high quality transit.
• TOD aims to create healthier and more livable communities where people can live, work and shop.
• For a successful TOD, development should be done providing a mix of uses and densities that complement
both transit users and local community, encourage transit use, managing safe circulation of pedestrians,
cyclists, vehicles and parking.

Principal of TOD in India

TOD focuses on compact mixed use development around transit corridor such as metro rail, BRTS etc.
International examples have demonstrated that though transit system facilitates transit oriented
development, improving accessibility and creating walkable communities is equally important. Based on the
objectives of National Urban Transport Policy, this TOD policy defines 12 Guiding Principles and 9 Supportive
tools, as shown in next slides, for realizing the objectives of TOD.
7. Explain various elements of TOD along with TOD definition.
ANS- Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
• TOD is a walk-able, mixed use (residential, commercial, employment, residential etc.) form of development
focused around a transit station.
• Development should be within 400 m (walking distance) with an improve access of bicycle around the
transit station.
• Concentrating higher density development near the station makes transit ridership and reduce the auto
ridership.
• According to Parker et al 2002, "TOD is moderate to higher density development, located within an easy
walk of major transit stop with a mix of residential, employment & shopping opportunities designed for
pedestrians without excluding the car.”
• TOD can be new construction or redevelopment of one or more building whose design and orientation
facilitate transit use.
• Communities built in this way have proven to be particularly livable, sustainable and resilient places.
• Research shows that most of the trips during the peak periods are work trips and most of them are done
by private car.
• TOD helps to develop job, employment facilities around the transit station which reduce the vehicle mile
traveled (VMT) for work trips and hence reduce the auto trips. Because of these benefits, making
communities more transit oriented mustbeone of the key goals of transportation planning.

Elements of TOD
1. Land use
• Ensure transit supportive land use (townhouse, apartments, childcare, hotels, medical clinics,
restaurants, affordable housing, libraries, recreational and cultural facilities, fitness club, high school
and post secondary institution) within a 400 meter walking distance of a transit stop or station.
• Discourage non transit supportive land use (low density residential development, generate high
level of vehicular activity, create negative impacts for pedestrians, such as isolation, wide swept
walks and numerous vehicle crossings on sidewalks) that are oriented primarily to the automobile
and not the pedestrian, cyclist and transit user.
• Mixed land use pattern that support a vibrant area community and enable people to meet many of
their daily needs locally, hence reducing the need to travel.
• Mixed land use includes variety of different housing types, employment, local services and
amenities, retail shop school within a close proximity of one another.
2. Layout
• Streets, laneways, pedestrian sidewalk and cycling connections will be made in a way to reduce
distance to transit or any other destination.
• Locate building (apartment, office, retail shop, commercial) close to each other to encourage ease
of walking between building and a public transit. This could be provided within one building or within
several adjacent buildings.
 • Ensure pedestrian safety and increase pedestrian accessibility. For example, create pedestrian and
cycling "shortcuts" that lead directly to transit. Have to ensure "short cuts" are maintained shades
and seating arrangements.
• Establish a good bicycle network around the station hub, station neighbourhood and station
influence area.
3. Pedestrian and Cyclist
• Ensure convenient, comfortable, safe, easily navigable, continuous, barrier free pedestrian
connections that lead directly to transit station.
• For safe movement different material such as concrete for crosswalk or treatments such as painted
patterns to provide visual identification of pedestrian routes for motorist.
• Ensure pedestrian connections are maintained and operational at all times when transit services
are functioning even after building business hours.
• Provide weather protection (covered waiting area, electricity) to make waiting for and getting to
and from transit stops more comfortable.
• Ensure and increase bi-cycle facility by giving bike lane on right of way for bicycle along with
provide convenient and attractive bicycle parking that is close to building entrances, protected from
the weather, visible from the interior of the building and that doesn't impede the movement of
pedestrians.
4. Parking
• Transit oriented development doesn't means"no cars". Even with high transit utilization, many
people will come and go by automobile.
• So huge parking facility is needed. Adequate parking lots in the station area should be provided for
the car user, bicyclist.
• Locate parking lots behind the building entrance to ensure no hindrance of pedestrian and
vehicular movement.
• Develop park and ride lots into mixed use transit or surface parking short distances away from the
station.
5. Street Scope and Environment
• Ensure quality benches, tree guards, street lighting, bicycle racks and garbage receptacles.
• Plant shade trees and shrubs to reduce urban heat and to create a more comfortable micro
climate.
• Enclose air conditioner compressors, garbage and recycling containers and other similar equipment
to make environment and air free from bad odor.