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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYAs we all know in this modern world there are many types of transportation had been invented to help people to go from places to places. With the development of science and technology, the transportation has already become the important component in our daily life gradually. Vehicles make our life convenient and swift. Many people are very attached to their vehicles. They say that having a vehicle is an essential part of their lives. Same as UTM students, vehicles become a very important thing in campus. There is much transportation that can be used by the students.

In a large urban area, there are some good reasons for owning a car. First, a car allows a person to move freely. With a car, time and place are no longer the problem. One can go anywhere he wants to. There is no need to check a bus schedule or wait for a train. Second, driving a car is a comfortable way for traveling, especially in raining day where the driver can stay dry and warm in the car, while poor bus and train riders might have to stand in the rain. Finally, a driver is usually safe in a car at night. The rider might need to walk down a dark street to get to a stop, or wait on a dark corner.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The number of SPACE students in UTMKL is increasing. Many of these students have their own vehicles for their own convenience. The increasing in the numbers of cars in UTM causes a major problem that is the insufficiency of parking lots to park their cars during weekend classes. Therefore a research study on UTMKL students methods of transportation is conducted.1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDYThere are many SPACE students in UTMKL and each of them has their own transportation. In response to this fact, a research committee was set up to conduct a research study. The purpose of the study is to know SPACE students transportation and why parking problem occurs during weekend classes.1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this study are as below:

To know the most common transportation used by SPACE students in UTMKL To identify the factors that cause the problem of the parking lot.

To rectify the effects of having this problem to students

To recommend solution to overcome the parking problems in UTM KL during weekend classes1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the transportations that highly used by SPACE students in UTMKL? What are the factors that cause the problem of the parking lot?

What are the effects of having this problem to students?

What can be done to overcome the parking problems in UTM KL during weekend classes?

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this study are very important as it can help the UTMKL management to provide more parking lots for SPACE students in UTMKL. This study helps UTMKL to improve parking system become more smoothly and no traffic congested. This research also will help students not to frustrated and feel lazy to class.1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDYThe study is conducted to know the relationship of transportation in UTMKL. The respondents were SPACE students and staffs in UTMKL. All the respondents were randomly selected by research team themselves. The data were collected via questionnaires that were distributed from June 6th to June 14th this year and survey pertaining summons that was issued by security department due to double layer parking, no sticker or overdue sticker and parking in restricted parking lots.

Table 1.1Work Schedule

ActivitiesWeekWeekWeekWeekWeekWeekWeekWeek

12345678

Identifying Topic of Research

Preparing & Presenting

Proposal for Research

Discussing & Designing

Research Instruments

Collecting Data through

Primary and Secondary Sources

Analyzing Collected Data

Drafting Report

Preparing for Presentation

Presenting the Report

Revising Final Report

Submission Final Report

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 DEFINITION OF TRANSPORTATION

Before there were transportations, people generally traveled on foot or by horse and buggy over unpaved the roads. Whether they lived in the city or the country, they rarely went farther than a few miles from home. They saw the same people and places year after year. The automobile has probably changed people's way of life more than any other invention of the last (Transport,2008).The vehicles opened up whole new worlds. Roads were paved, and motorists went to see different parts of the country. Some decided to stay. People with vehicles could live farther from their jobs, and so the age of commuting began. New suburbs sprang up around the cities. The auto industry boomed, and millions of Americans made a living manufacturing, selling, servicing, or insuring vehicles.

2.2 HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION

The History of Transportation spans the entire history of man. Early Paleolithic and Neolithic man walked through his world on his own two legs, and couldn't transport more than he was able to carry on his back. In the late Neo-lithic, Beasts of Burden began to be used after animal domestication (the horse would be domesticated around 2000 B.C. and a few animals predate that), but even then they could only carry what could be loaded onto or tied to their animal's backs. At some point early man became ambitious enough to want to move large stones or other heavy objects, and human ingenuity devised the log roller for this task. There is evidence that many cultures in many geographic areas used simple log roller technology, but dating this is tricky. It is likely that wear on extensively used log rollers eventually inspired the development of the wheel. A lot of the early information is theoretical and undocumentable for History as such, and is really more in the domain of Archeology or Anthropology, but is the preface to the History of Transportation according to an article in transportationhistory.suite101.com/blog.2.3 THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION

Developments in technology and science have brought people many great inventions. In transportation, the inventions of the automobile have had an enormous impact on modern society. That will be a shortcoming if we dont mention the invention of jet transportation. As far as I am concerned, it is the greatest importance in transportation. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, (1997), Transportations vital importance to the U.S. economy is underscored by the fact that more than $1 out of every $10 produced in the U.S. gross domestic product is related to transportation activity. This includes all aspects of transportation, including the movement of goods and the purchase of all transportation-related products and services as well as the movement of people. In conclusion, although jet transportation has advantages as well as disadvantages, it is still the greatest importance in the development of transportation. It is useful to people, save time, promotes economics and makes nations closer.

2.4 CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORTATION

The field of transport has several aspects; loosely they can be divided into a triad of infrastructure, vehicles, and operations. Infrastructure includes the transport networks such as rod, railways, waterways, canals, pipelines that are used, as well as the nodes or terminals such as airports, railways stations, bus stations and seaports. The vehicles generally ride on the networks, such as automobiles, bicycles, buses and etc. the operations deal with the way the vehicles are operated on the network and the procedures set for this purpose including the legal environment (Type of Transportation,2008).For this research, the transportation included in road transportation such as car, motorcycle, bicycle, bus and taxi. This transportation classification as an automobile is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor.3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3.1 INTRODUCTIONThis part discusses the methodology of the research. The main objective of the research is to investigate why the parking problem in UTMKL occurs during weekend classes and what are the factors that cause the problems of the parking lot. The research was conducted in the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur area. All students and staff in UTMKL were randomly selected for this research. Data for the research were collected through questionnaire and numbers of summons that was issued out by security department.

3.2 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTSThe instruments that were used to collect the data were questionnaire. The questionnaire contains 10 questions and divided into 3 sections which is section (a) demographic study, section (b) the mode of transportation and lastly section (c) suggestion and an opinion. The question types are yes-no, category and opened questions. The secondary data were collected from security department is total numbers of summons issued. Both of this quantitative data us utilize in this research.3.3 RESPONDENT OF THE STUDYThe respondents of the study were students from any year of undergraduates in UTMKL and staff. In June 2008, a total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to students and staff. The questionnaires were distributed half to the male which mean 50 questionnaires to the male students and staff while the other 50 were female students and staff. This is because we want to make a balance research among the respondents or among the gender of the students and staff.3.4 RESEARCH PROCEDURE

The research was conducted by distributing the questionnaires at various locations on UTMKL campus such as the entrance to the main library, cafeterias, faculties and also colleges. The questionnaires were distributed to students and staff with total of hundred sets. The respondents will be queried whether they are students or staff before distributed the questionnaires as visitors are not treated as respondent. 3.5 DATA ANALYSIS To analyze the data, a total of four variables were taken for consideration to make the data precise which are gender, type of transportation, study purpose and parking issued. Data will be counted up by using Microsoft Excel software and were entered to computer by hand and will be calculated by the computer. The consequences were presented throughout frequency counts and other evocative statistics. The field-notes from the observation were transcribed, and data from the questioner sheet were analyze and tabulated in tables.4.0 FINDING AND DISCUSSION

Figure 4.1: Type of VehicleFigure 4.1 shows the percentage of type of transportation among Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students and staff.

Based on the information shown on pie chart, the highest percentage is use car. There are contributed 75 percent. It shown because most of student study in weekend is part time student and they are working on weekdays. They capable to have their own transport. Followed by motorcycle is 15 percent, because of easy to handle, would not stuck in traffic jam and also distance from their house to UTMKL is very near. The balance of respondents, 10 percent is use bus or taxi or commuter to go UTMKL. It is because of long distance destination.

Figure 4.2: No of People In A Car

Figure 4.2 shows the numbers of people for UTMKL car users.

From the graph, it can be seen that 65 percent from 100 respondents go to UTMKL individually. Another 35 percent of respondents are car pool with friend or classmates.

The most significant reason why respondents go to UTMKL individually is because majority of them is staying in different location and area. They also faced different timing in work and classes on weekend. Those respondents go to UTMKL by car pool because they plan their timing very well and took same subject on weekend classes.

Figure 4.3: Time Taken To Find Parking LotFrom the figure, the bar chart shows the time taken to find the parking by respondents in UTMKL

From the figure, the bar chart shows the time taken to find the parking lot by both male and female respondents in UTM KL.Most of the respondents took time less then 30 minutes to find the parking lot in UTM KL during weekend classes. Out of 100 respondents, 42 of them took only 10 to 20 minutes to find the parking lot. Another 21 respondents took 20 to 30 minutes to find the parking lot. The highest number of respondents for both range of time is due to their attitude of always coming slightly early to class.

On other hand, 33 respondents took only less than 10 minutes to find the parking lot. It is because they always come early to class. Only 4 respondents took time more than 30 minutes to find the parking lots because they always come late to class.

Figure 4.4: Feeling When Having Problem Finding Parking LotFigure 4.4 Figure shows the percentage of Feeling When Having Problem Finding Parking Lot among respondents in UTM KL according to four categories which are angry, lazy to attend class, tension or frustrated and other feeling.

From the pie chart, the highest percentage of the respondents feeling is tension or frustrated which is 50 percent. It is because they feel tired and depressed to handle that situation. The second highest percentage is lazy to attend class which is 25 percent. This result shows that the problem of finding the parking lot will effect the commitment of the students to attend the class.

Some respondents feel angry when facing this problem. The percentage of respondents having these feeling is 20 percent. It shows that some students cannot control their attitude and easy become hot tempered. The lowest percentage is other feeling which is 5 percent. It means that some respondents quite cool when facing this problem.

Figure 4.5: Summons Data From July-Dec 2007Figure 4.5 Table above shows the summon data 2007, where there are 4 categories of summons being issued due to parking problems thats vehicle parked without UTM sticker, entering restricted zone or one way road, park at restricted zone and lastly parking where it blocking others vehicles or causing road blockings.

From the table, the highest summons issued is due to parking without UTM sticker which is 242 summonses. The second highest is parking where it blocking other vehicle or causing road blocking which is 183 summons. Followed by entering restricted zone or one way road and park at restricted zone with total 108 and 158 respectively.

Therefore the total parking summons for the past 6 month of year 2007 comes up to 691 summonses. It shows that many vehicles dont have UTM sticker where in this case outsiders also may come in and park. Due to shortage of parking, so they keen to park at restricted area and causes blocking and also entering the restricted zone just to get a parking lot.

Figure 4.6: Summons Data From Jan-Apr 2008Figure 4.6 Graph shows the traffic offenses summons data 2008, where there are 4 categories of summons being issued due to parking problems thats vehicle parked without UTM sticker, entering restricted zone or one way road, park at restricted zone and lastly parking where it blocking others vehicles or causing road blockings.Graph above shows the parking summons data from month of January till April 2008. From the graph, the highest summons issued is due to parking at restricted zone with total of 603 summonses. Secondly is parking where it blocking others vehicle or causing road blockings with total 87 summons. Follows by no UTM sticker and entering restricted zone or one way road with total 86 and 65 summons respectively.

Therefore it clearly shows that the total number of summons issued this period is increases to 841 summons compare to 691 summons on last year endings. It might be due to the number of students intake are keen increasing but the parking lots are still the same semester by semester till now.5.0 CONCLUSIONThis research investigates the mode of transportation and also problem facing by vehicle user when finding the parking lots on the weekend classes. Primary data were collected randomly by distribution questionnaire to 100 of part time student. The total and type of summon which was issued by the UTM security to the traffic offences also was collected as a secondary data to support our study. As mentioned earlier in the introduction, the purpose of the study was to investigate student mode transportation, number of people in the car, time taken to find the parking lot and the student feeling to facing problem to parking their vehicle.

The following conclusion can be drawn from the study. To begin with the study has shown mostly all or the respondents are using their own vehicle especially a car and driving alone to go to classes. These modes are very popular because averages of the respondents are staying at different area. For those who are come slightly early to the class they are not facing problem to park their vehicle. This group is only thirty three present in our survey which just takes below then ten minute to finding the park lot. On other hand some of respondents were taken more then ten minute until to one hour to finding the parking lots depending on how late their come to class. The highest percentage of the respondents feeling tension or frustrated when facing this scenario is fifty percent. It is because they feel tired and depressed to handle that situation. This result shows that the problem of finding the parking lot will effect the commitment of the students to attend the class. Some respondents feel angry when facing this problem. The percentage of respondents having these feeling is 20 percent. It shows that some students cannot control their attitude and easy become hot tempered.

The results of this study shown that parking problem especially due to not enough parking lot in UTM campus will be effected to the students during classes on weekend. However, these findings are only true for the sample in our research. There are many students in UTM and a sample of 100 students may not give a precise data if compare to the ratio of the total student in UTM. The same study need to be conducted again and the number of sample should be increase and not just limited to 100 to gain a precise and accurate data.6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON FINDING

Based on finding and conclusion of the study, here are several recommendations need to be considered:

1. The UTM management should provide more parking lots such as storeyed parking, underground parking and other parking system either inside UTM or outside UTM to support increasing number of student every year.

2. The UTM management should provide UTM bus service from the major town like Kajang, Shah Alam and other town to UTM during the peak hours so that students didnt drive by their owned to UTM KL.

3. The UTM management should encourage students and staffs to use public transport by having some campaign regarding on it.

4. The UTM management should make a lot of campaign to encourage pooling car among students and staffs.

5. The UTM management should plan properly the outside activities held in UTM and inform transport owner earlier about the activities. Therefore, students and staffs can arrange their mode of transportation during that day.

6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Since the study had only focused on random 100 samples, it is recommended that further studies should be carried out on more samples or on other universities, local government and other suitable place to see whether there are similarities in the finding. Furthermore, further research could also explore the effect of having parking problem to students academic performance. Lastly, although transportation is necessity, it might be a good idea to investigate the effects of having parking problem to works performance or human attitude in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.

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