TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

Current Issue Presentation

TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

22nd Mid Career Management Course

(August 22nd 2016 to November 25th 2016)

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT KARACHI

Submitted by:

Mushtaq Ali Shahani, Pakistan Customs Service

This write up is submitted to the Faculty of the National Institute of Management, Karachi, in
partial fulfillment of the requirements of the 22nd tMid Career Management Course.

The write up is the end product of my own efforts, research and writing and has not, in whole
or in part, been submitted elsewhere for assessment and its contents are not plagiarized. The
write up reflects my own views and is not necessarily endorsed by the faculty or the Institute.

Signature: ______________

Dated: October 03, 2016

Paper Supervised by:

Ms. ShaguftaWaris, ADS

Mr. Kh. Shaukat Hussain, CI

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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

A. INTRODUCTION:

In todays world motorcycle has become a main mode of transport for many cities in
the world. It is known as a transition mode between pedal cycle and passenger cars in
developing countries. In the last ten years, the number of motorcycles has increased
dramatically in Karachi1. Now city is teeming with motorcyclists. However, motorcycle is
also being accused of causing traffic congestion in Karachi.

Traffic congestion is becoming more serious day after day, particularly in Karachi
which is hub of economic activity. The ever increasing traffic jam is attributed to the high
volume of motorcycles and other vehicles, the inadequate infrastructure and the irrational
distribution of the development.

The major reason leading to the high number of motorcycles plying on road are the
increase in population and the development of economy, resulting in increased in number of
purchases. To solve this problem, the government should invest in public transport system
and encourage people to use it, improve traffic facilities and restrict use of private vehicles. In
some countries, the local authorities passed law restricting the number of vehicles for each
family2.

B. MEANING OF TERM TRAFFIC CONGESTION:

Traffic congestion is a condition on road network that occurs as use increases and is
characterized by slower speeds and longer trip times3. It is a situation where number/volume
of all types of vehicles plying on the road exceeds the space/capacity of the road at a point of
time. Once threshold of vehicles increases, traffic congestion will occur. In other words, as
the demand for road space approaches the capacity of road at a given place and at a point of
time.

C. DAILY LIFE AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION:

1 Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers (APMA)

2 Like Vietnam has done
3 As defined in Wikipedia & Reference Books/Articles
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

Traffic is everywhere. We cannot altogether ban the increase in the number of road
space occupation by commuters. This is a natural result of population growth, demographic
pull factor of cities, and growth in economy. However, the ever increasing load of commuters
must be managed properly and well in time. This can be done by timely planning and
investment in public transport and on road infrastructure by the government.

D. CAUSES OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION:

If too many motorcycles, cars and other vehicles ply on the road, more than its
capacity at point in time, then traffic jams cannot be avoided. The main reasons of traffic
jams are detailed below:

a) Own/Private Transport.... Everyone wants that he/she should travel very

comfortably and reach his/her destination as fast as possible; hence own transport
(particularly motorcycles and cars)

b) Low Oil Prices.... Lower oil prices4 makes it cheaper to afford fuel of motorcycles;
hence increase in the number of private users of transports

c) Concessionary Tax Regime.... Concessionary/lower import duties/taxes5 on

components of motorcycles have resulted in increased production of motorcycles in
Pakistan; resultantly, motorcycles are available at affordable prices

d) Credit Financing Facilities.... Availability of finance at reasonable markup has also

resulted in increased purchases of motorcycles and cars

e) Road Obstacles.... Obstacles in the road cause a blockage and merger. These
impediments can be any of the following:

i. Double parking on the road or parking on prohibited areas/along the roads

ii. Construction/Repair/Road work at day/peak times

iii. Overflowing sewerage and spill of water on roads (slowing down speed)

iv. Lane closures due to imperative utility works during the day/peak times

4 The world has witness drastic decrease in oil prices. OGRA also reduced prices in Pakistan too
5 Federal Govt notified SROs like 1404/2012 for concessionary imports of components of motorcycles to promote industry & employment
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

v. Road narrowing down due to raft of reasons (constructions, enrichments, etc)

vi. Accidents on the road

f) Poor Road/Bridge Conditions.... People dont like to move from the broken part so
traffic increases on rest of the road. Accidents also happen which resultantly cause
traffic jam

g) Overdevelopments.... Overdevelopment in areas where the mass transit system is

already overcrowded and the road system is inadequate

h) Malfunctioning Traffic Signals.... Traffic signals out of sync many times on purpose
or occasionally when the computers are malfunctioning

i) Improper Green Timings.... Inadequate green time for pedestrian and vehicles also
creates panic and pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other vehicles violate traffic
regulation which results in congestion

j) Midblock Crossing6.... Too many pedestrians crossing at some points (and not using
pedestrian bridges) and not permitting motorcyclists, cars and other vehicles to
run/drive/turn affect the flow of traffic, thereby causing traffic congestion

k) Lack of Traffic Sense.... Drivers and pedestrian people normally lack proper traffic
sense; hence they cause impediments to normal traffic flow

l) Non Use of Rare View Mirrors.... Non-availability and non-use of rare view mirror
by motorcyclists while changing lanes also lead to slowing and blocking traffic

m) Irresponsible Drivers....Careless, negligent and irresponsible driving not only causes

traffic jams and also accidents which in turn cause further traffic congestion

n) Non-Adherence To Traffic Laws.... Despite awareness, people tend to non-

observance of traffic regulations

o) Use of Mobiles.... Motorcyclists often use mobile phones during driving which slows
their speed, causes negligent driving and sometimes results in accidents

6 Midblock Crossing is due to unawareness of road hazards and lack of traffic sense
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

p) Goods Transport On Bike.... Many times, motorcycles are used as mode of

transporting merchandise and personal goods

q) Public Events.... Public strikes, dharna, procession, corner meetings, etc also disrupts
smooth traffic flow and cause congestions

r) VIP Movements.... VIP movements and closure of roads at different points,

particularly during peak hours causes traffic jams

s) Frequent Traffic Diversions.... Unannounced and unscheduled traffic diversions by

traffic police due to multiple reasons (security, emergency, construction, repair, etc)

t) Unplanned Constructions.... Haphazard growth of buildings/constructions7 along

busy roads not only cause narrowing of roads but also result increase pressure of
population at those areas

u) Shopping Malls/Marriage Halls, Parks/Garden, Schools, etc.... Shopping malls,

grocery stores, marriage halls, parks, playing fields/grounds, etc along main/busy
routes/roads (Like Alladin Park, Grammar/Karachi Schools, Marriage Halls)

v) Larger Number of Trucks/Heavy Traffic.... Too many trucks/heavy traffic on the

road (which can be inter alia due to inadequate rail freight opportunities) obstruct the
flow of regular traffic

w) Corruption in Traffic Department.... The corrupt officials compromise on traffic

violations and let offenders free against meager financial favours. It has been further
observed that corrupt officials stop violators in the middle of the road and start
bargaining there

x) Lesser Number of Traffic Police Officials.... The Traffic police department is facing
acute shortage of officials and staff.

E. EFFECTS OF TRAFFIC JAMS:

7 As in cases of weak enforcement of building law by Sindh Building Control Authority

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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

Traffic congestion has a number of negative effects on the life and ways of citizens
which are described below:

a) Wasting time of motorists and passengers ("opportunity cost"). As a non-productive

activity for most people, congestion reduces time for healthy activities

b) Delays, which may result in late arrival for employment, meetings, and education,
resulting in lost business opportunities, disciplinary action or other personal losses

c) Inability to forecast travel time accurately, leading to drivers allocating more time to
travel "just in case" and less time on productive activities

d) Financial loss due to wasting of money on unnecessary fuel thereby decreasing disposal
income of families

e) Environmental pollution due to increased carbon dioxide emissions8 and air pollution on
account of increased idling, acceleration and braking and more fuel consumption

f) Traffic congestion also causes harmful effects on health (like respiratory problem, asthma,
eyesight issues)9

g) Wear and tear on vehicles as a result of idling in traffic and frequent acceleration and
braking, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements costs

h) Stressed and frustrated motorists, encouraging road rage and reduced health of motorists.
Road rage is aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile or other motor
vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in
an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. Road rage can lead to altercations,
assaults, and collisions which result in injuries and even deaths. It can be thought of as an
extreme case of aggressive driving.

i) Traffic congestion blocks the passage of emergency vehicles (like ambulances, fire
brigades, law enforcement agencies) traveling to their destinations thereby increasing
risks to life and property

8 Vehicles in traffic congestion emit nearly four times more pollution

9 Level of toxins in air in Karachi are higher than WHO permissible levels
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

j) Spillover effect from congested main arteries to secondary roads and side streets as
alternative routes are attempted ('rat running'), which may affect neighborhood amenity
and real estate prices

k) Higher chance of collisions due to tight spacing and constant stopping-and-going

l) The traffic jams result in damaging the physical infrastructure of city (directly or
indirectly) like road, buildings, constructions, parks, gardens, green belts, etc

m) Traffic congestion has been related to social discontents, estranged relationships,

increased intolerance and frustration

F. Way Forward:

Traffic congestion can be reduced, if not eliminated completely, through better planning
and management. For achieving that a number of measures as described below have to be
adopted:

a) Pillion Riding.... Motorcycle is meant for only pillion riding, i.e only for two
passengers, the rider and one other bike rider/passenger. But unfortunately, we
observe that due to poverty, more than two people travel by motorcycles.
Sometimes, a half dozen persons have been found riding a single motorbike
which is not only cause of traffic congestion but also a safety threat to the riders
themselves and also other commuters on the road. Strict pillion riding may be
ensured.

b) Using Bike for Passenger Commutation Only.... No motorcyclist should be

allowed to use the motorbike other than passenger commuting. Use of motorbike
for transportation of goods should be strictly prohibited, save permissible goods
of allowed shapes, quantity and sizes for domestic/personal use only.

c) Appropriately Designated Lanes for Bikers, Buses, etc.... Appropriately

designated lanes on the road for motorcyclists and buses will help ease the
disturbances they cause in flow of traffic.

d) Flexible Hours.... Imagine what havoc it would be when all people leave their
homes around 8:00 a.m. in the morning for work. If organizations allow flexible
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

timings to their employees10, the flow of traffic can be evenly distributed to 2-3
hours. As a bonus, employees get a non-monetary perk where they can select a
time most appropriate for them. Likewise, different timings of heavy vehicles
(evenings/night) may be introduced.

e) Separate Lanes and Bus Stops... There should be bus stops and separate lanes
for buses, motorcycles and cars, and this should be followed in letter and spirit.
This will not only streamline the traffic flow, but would definitely reduce the
number of road accidents.

f) Car Pooling.... People traveling daily to same office or surrounding areas and
coming back should travel together. Organizations should also encourage and
support such actions of their staff. As a bonus, employees save on fuel, vehicle
wear and tear, carbon emission, daily driving hassle and travelling with
friends/colleagues is always better than travelling alone.

g) Corporate Conveyance Facility... An optional conveyance can be provided to

employees either free of cost or at subsidized rates. A bus or hi-roof will reduce
number of vehicles to 3% to 20%. This also saves on over all fuel consumption,
carbon emissions and as a bonus, employees can even get a nap after a tiring
work day instead of driving for hours.

h) Karachi Circular Railways... It is good option and must be adopted to reduce

traffic on roads.

i) Investing in Public Transport... Public road or rail transport is convenient way

to reduce traffic. Government should invest in public transport system. However,
this mode is preferred when more convenient and cheaper than private vehicles.

j) Zero tolerance on Traffic Violations... A system that enforces the traffic law
and has zero tolerance for violation will significantly reduce traffic jams and
accidents and will streamline the flow of traffic. Heavy penalties should be
imposed for all violations like in West or Gulf Countries.

k) Widening of Roads.... Homes and businesses may be shifted wherever it is

necessary for road widening for increasing availability of road space.
10 Many European companies and IT firms have allowed their employees flexible timings
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

l) Reduce Street Parking.... High parking charges through use of parking meters11,
parking permits, traffic wardens may be introduced. This is unpopular but
effectively reduces traffic congestion.

m) Pedestrianisation.... Roads in the heart of city for only pedestrians may be

designated12. However, this technique is not liked for the fact that it increases
congestion elsewhere.

n) One Way Streets.... It means traffic only in one direction. This technique is
famous for effectively reducing traffic jams.

o) Bridges and Tunnels.... Wherever necessary, bridges and tunnels may be

constructed as these have been found to effectively manage and reduce traffic
jams on the main arteries and tributaries.

p) Park and Ride.... Parking areas (like underground) may be constructed and
people to be encouraged to park their transport in such parking and ride away
after usage.

q) Road Condition Improvement.... improved road facilitates easy flow of traffic.

r) Use of IT.... Modern day Information Technology use can make wonders happen.
Signal Systems, Display Board, Traffic Forecast will help reduce traffic jams to a
great extent.

s) Strict Licensing.... Only riders having valid licenses may be allowed. There
should be strict examination/test before issuance of licenses. Laws and
regulations may also be taught and exams conducted for issuance of licenses so
that public may respect regulations.

t) Public Awareness.... Awareness and traffic sense may be inculcated in the minds
of the people. Drivers, passengers, commuters, pedestrians must be made aware
of all laws and ethics of traffic. Media may be used for this.

G. CONCLUSION:

11 Like in Tokyo, Japan

12 Many countries do reserve city central areas for pedestrians only (like in Belgium, Netherland, etc)
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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

The present number of motorcycles and other vehicles are putting pressure on the capacity of
the roads and the infrastructure. The public transport such as bus, subway or train is not
available to all and its quality is very bad. Besides, the highway and road network is
incapable of meeting the requirement of ever increasing number of vehicles and the
burgeoning population. Coping with these difficulties, the government should make an
investment in the traffic facilities, namely, the public transport need improving to become
more modern and convenient, improving road conditions and infrastructures and proper
management of traffic on scientific basis. It is useful to build overpasses and more lanes in
the streets. Apparently, the irrational distribution and the lack of conscience make the traffic
worse and worse. The head offices, the universities or hospitals often locate in the centre of
city attracting a heavy flow of people in rush hour. To handle this situation, the government
should allocate suitably, for instance some university or office may be moved to the outskirt
of city. Further, it is necessary to encourage people obey the traffic rules which will make
greatly change the problem of traffic. Use of modern technology is must and that a vibrant
trained traffic force should be raised. Finally, it's high time we should be aware of the
disadvantages as well as the solutions to the traffic congestion. With great effort from each
individualist and government, our society will be definitely cleaner and well organized.

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 TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY MOTORCYCLISTS IN KARACHI: A WAY FORWARD

Sources:

1. Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Police, Karachi

2. Office of the Commissioner, Karachi

3. Karachi Traffics website: www.ccptraffickyc.pk

4. Sindh Building Control Authority

5. Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers website: www.motorcycleexport.com

6. FBRs website: www.fbr.gov.pk

7. Studies available on different websites

8. Google Website

9. Wikipedia Website

10. Pakistani Daily Newspapers

11. Literature available on different websites

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