A STUDY ON EFFICIENCY OF FOOT OVERPASS AND
UNDERPASS AT DHAKA CITY
Khaled Mahmud Rana1, Ahmed Sajid Hasan2
1Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, World University of Bangladesh,
[email protected]* 2Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, World University of Bangladesh,
Abstract
In the time of technological revolution, Dhaka, the most densely populated city in Bangladesh
experiences a rapid economic growth where most people need to use city road network for
various purposes. The rate of accident during pedestrian’s frequent crossing on busy highway
avoiding foot overpass and underpass is increasing day by day. So the efficiency of overpass and
underpass at Dhaka city is now under question whether it may provide service to pedestrian
properly or not. This study aims at determining the existing efficiency of foot overpass and
underpass at Dhaka city, the percent of male, female and children who use overpass and
underpass, the causes for avoiding overpass and under pass and providing sustainable solution to
improve efficiency. The pedestrian flow at the overpass and underpass has been surveyed at ten
major overpasses and underpass of Dhaka city. After research, it has been determined that
existing efficiency of foot overpass and underpass at Dhaka city is about 60% which indicates that
more than half of the total pedestrian use overpass and underpass while crossing roads. The
results indicate that, 66.5%, 25.4% and 8.1% of the users are male, women and children
respectively. It has been found that the most efficient overpass is Farmgate overpass where the
pedestrian passing rate is 94% while the minimum rate of pedestrian passing is 17% at Gulistan
underpass. Most of the pedestrians who avoid and who use overpass think that the existing
serviceability of overpass and underpass is not satisfactory. This study has found that 88.45%,
87.8% and74.9% pedestrian avoid overpass or underpass for a long walk, taking more time and
step slope respectively. Along with these problems, 71.8%, 66.9% and 58.5 % pedestrian who use
foot overpass and underpass think that existing overpass is congested, occupied by hawker and
has poor entry excess respectively. Analyzing this situation, recommendation for sustainable
solution to increase efficiency of foot overpass and underpass has been provided.
Keywords: foot overpass; foot underpass; pedestrian; efficiency; sustainable solutions
INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is a very densely populated low lying country with 168 million inhabitants
living in an area of 147 570 sq. km. Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, has a population of
over 14 million with a growth rate of 8% per annum. The vast majority of trips in Dhaka are done
by foot, rickshaw, or public bus. Within the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) area, 38.7% of
primary trips are made by rickshaw, 28.5% by public bus, and 19% by foot. In the greater Dhaka
Metropolitan Area (DMA) excluding the DCC itself, walking is the main form of transport,
accounting for 37.2% of trips, followed by rickshaws (28.5%) and public bus (24.4%). In both
areas, the percentage of trips taken by private car is very low: 5.2% in DCC and 3.8% in DMA.
As Dhaka’s commercial streets depend on high levels of foot traffic, designing communities that
facilitate walking will benefit local businesses, supporting and building pedestrian‐friendly
environments will encourage people to choose walking as a regular mode of travel, creating lively
streets and making the city more livable. In other words, walk able communities are livable
communities. Trips made on foot could reduce the risk of diseases and their high social and
economic costs. However, walking safely requires a safe walking space. In Bangladesh,
pedestrians are the main victims of road accidents. The Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey
estimated there were approximately 13,200 reported road traffic deaths in the country and
403,000 injuries; 54% of the dead were pedestrians. In Dhaka, the proportion of road deaths that
1st International Conference on Research and Innovation in Civil Engineering (ICRICE 2018), 12 –13 January, 2018, Southern University Bangladesh (SUB), Chittagong, Bangladesh ISBN: 978-984-34-3576-7
are pedestrians is even higher, at 86%. Almost half of pedestrian‐related accidents occur while
people are waiting for a bus or walking along the roadway. The most common cause of accident is
cross the road without using the foot over bridge, walk on the roads instead of using foot path.
However, in Dhaka city, about 60% trips are making on foot but the pedestrians are
facing many problems while using the walkways. A lot of research works are going on for
assessing the pedestrian’s level of services in the developed nations but in developing countries
like Bangladesh, it is not a significant one for the transport planners. It is because; the transport
planners or researchers are always emphasizing the problems of the motorized vehicles. Besides,
budget allocation is not sufficient to continue research in the field of pedestrians. To provide safe
and sustainable crossings, those providing technical assistance to local government and
communities need simple, easily applied guidelines on the selection and construction of effective
road crossings. A footbridge is usually a considerable undertaking, particularly for communities,
and it is essential to make sure that it is really needed and is a top priority and commitment for the
communities involved. In many places people are forced to use foot over bridges for road
crossings. Such bridges increase trip time and inconvenience for all pedestrians, and can create
serious obstacles for many groups including small children, the disabled, the sick, and those
carrying children or heavy items.
Not long ago, zebra crossings were present in most of the streets of the city but those
were later destroyed. Now more foot over bridges is constructed, and administrative power is
exercised to force people to use them. Such inconvenience to pedestrians is obviously only
tolerated because of the perceived benefits to car drivers. On the other hand, presently most of the
footpaths are in bad condition and sometimes they are used as parking places for private cars
which affect the free flow of pedestrians and most of the foot over bridges and under pass of the
city was dirty and going the space for hawkers, beggars. This study aims at determining the
existing efficiency of foot overpass and underpass at Dhaka city, the percent of male, female and
children who use overpass and underpass, the causes for avoiding overpass and under pass and
providing sustainable solution to improve efficiency
METHODOLOGY
Following methods were adopted to achieve the perspective objectives described: At the
very beginning of the research work an extensive literature review has been conducted to know
the conditions, types, nature, limitations, recommendations etc. of previous research, project
reports conducted in home and abroad on and pedestrians’ flow characteristics in Dhaka
metropolitan has been analyzed to acquire knowledge for the basic understanding on that topic.
Then objectives have been formulated to identify the factors which contribute in efficiency of foot
overpass and underpass. After that selection of study area which is selected based on accidental
data at the site. Considering this commercial area is preferred. The following foot overbridge and
underpass were selected: Gulistan Underpass, Kawran Bazar Underpass, Gabtoli Underpass and
foot over bridge of Sahabag (Shishu Park, National Museum, BASMU), Banani foot overpass.
Farmgate Foot Overpass, Polton Foot Overpass (North Gate of Baitul Mukarom Masque)
Then relevant data which were related to foot overpass and underpass of the Dhaka city
were collected from secondary sources like DCC, RAJUK, RHD, DMP previous research survey
report and internet browsing. Relevant data also collected from print media and electric media. At
the same time of secondary data has been taken field observation and field data taken procedure
also started. Both primary and secondary data have been analyzed and manipulated with a view to
achieve the objective which is set out in the introductory chapter. Primary data has been used to
identify and categorized the side friction factors also to calculate the reduction of effective
pavement width. However, secondary data has been used to overview the present Dhaka city
condition. Finally, in line with research findings, the relevant guidelines, policies, regulations,
have been proposed for realistic and affordable short and long-term actions to improve the
physical pavement condition.
1st International Conference on Research and Innovation in Civil Engineering (ICRICE 2018), 12 –13 January, 2018, Southern University Bangladesh (SUB), Chittagong, Bangladesh ISBN: 978-984-34-3576-7
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
As described earlier, in this study, different types of data have been collected from
different sources applying different methods and techniques. For data collection, observations and
survey were carried out during different days of month and different time of the day in different
roads. Data has been collected mainly at peak and off pick hour to exact pedestrian crossing
characteristic. Overall city has been observed to find out an overall view of the study area within
the whole study period both in a systematic and random nature. It also gives an outlook to the
geographical extent of the city. An overall idea of the present development condition of the study
area (could also be found through this observation. The number of pedestrian who use foor over
bridge and underpass has been given in table 1
TABLE 1: Foot over bridge & Underpass User and Non-user at Pick & Off -Pick Hours
It has been found that pedestrians are facing many problems while they using foot over
bridge for that most of them are willing to use foot over bridge. We found that 46.6% of
pedestrian’s are using foot over bridges or underpasses and 53.4% of pedestrian’s are not
using foot over bridges or underpasses. After analyzed the thesis topic it has been seen
Figure1: Efficiency of foot overpass and underpass
Foot Over Bridge &
Underpass Location
Pick Hour
(8am to 10 am)
Pick Hour
(5 am to 7 am)
Off-Pick Hour
(1 am to 3am)
Overpass/
underpass
User
Overpass/
underpass
Non User
Overpass/
underpass
User
Overpass/
underpass
Non User
Overpass/
underpass
User
Overpass/
underpass
Non User
Gulisthan 2520 14560 2863 13980 2736 11943
Polton 760 1140 600 1200 720 936
Sahabag
(Beside Shishu Park)
61 360 60 270 53 240
Sahabag
(Beside National Museum)
1929 1711 1230 1620 1390 1558
Sahabag
(Beside Bardem)
1912 1425 2045 1273 1359 1014
Kawran Bazar 4950 1533 4379 1703 3970 1263
Banglamotor 3088 1663 2964 1741 2160 1296
Farmgate 18942 1425 19105 1205 12509 1340
Banani 4981 1168 5236 1477 2812 714
Gabtoli 1472 145 1423 291 468 60
1st International Conference on Research and Innovation in Civil Engineering (ICRICE 2018), 12 –13 January, 2018, Southern University Bangladesh (SUB), Chittagong, Bangladesh ISBN: 978-984-34-3576-7
that the most efficient overpass is Farmgate overpass where the pedestrian passing rate is
94%. On the other hand the minimum rate of pedestrian passing is 17% which is
Gulisthan underpass that has been graphically presented at figure 1.The most preferred
foot over bridge for male is polton foot over bridge, children for framgate foot over
bridge where most female selects Banani foot over bridge as shown in figure 2. So it can
be said that security for female and children is a significant issue for Bonani and framgate
foot over bridge.
Figure 2: Percentage of male, female and children passing over the foot overpass or underpass
A questionnaire survey has been conducted over 500 people to realize the actual service quality of
foot over bridge and underpass and their valuable recommendations were pointed as percentage
that can show the way of sustainable solutions for the present problem for not using foot overpass
and underpass at Dhaka city. From figure 3, it has been found that. 88.45%, 87.8% and 74.9%
pedestrian avoid foot overpass or underpass for a long walk, taking more time and steep slope
respectively. 66.4%, 47.8% and 64.4% pedestrian who use foot overpass and underpass think that
existing overpass is congested, occupied by hawker and poor entry excess.
Figure 3: Pedestrian’s opinion on the Service Quality of Foot Over-bridge and underpass
1st International Conference on Research and Innovation in Civil Engineering (ICRICE 2018), 12 –13 January, 2018, Southern University Bangladesh (SUB), Chittagong, Bangladesh ISBN: 978-984-34-3576-7
Figure 4 clarifies the significant factors that should be taken into consideration with priority.
About 94% pedestrians think that public awareness is the key factor to attract people for using
foot over bridge and underpass for securing safety while crossing. Hawkers on foot over bridge
has already been very irritating issue in the recent time at Dhaka city that hampers the
pedestrian’s flow at a great scale. About 90% pedestrian thinks that hawkers should be strictly
removed. A major portion of pedestrian has recommended to install escalator that can provide
facility for all type of pedestrians; including physically disable people.
Figure 4: Recommendation of pedestrian
CONCLUSIONS
The aerage efficiency of foot overpass and underpass at Dhaka city is about 60%.The most
efficient foot overpass is Farmgate foot overpass where the pedestrian passing rate is 94% while
the minimum rate of pedestrian passing is 17% at Gulistan underpass. 88.45%, 87.8% and 74.9%
pedestrian avoid foot overpass or underpass for a long walk, taking more time and steep slope
respectively.66.4%, 47.8% and 64.4% pedestrian who use foot overpass and underpass think that
existing overpass is congested, occupied by hawker and poor entry excess.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Security system should be increased for woman, children and girls in Polton and Sahabag Sishu
Park foot overpass. Bus stops should be clearly demarcated and the buses must not pick
passengers from pedestrian intersections. Removal Hawkers and Drugs addicted person from
Farmgate, Polton, Sahabag Sishu Park foot overpass and Kawran Bazar underpass should be
imposed as early as possible. Installation Escalator at Sahabag BIRDEM foot overpass where
most of the pedestrians are patients.
.
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1st International Conference on Research and Innovation in Civil Engineering (ICRICE 2018), 12 –13 January, 2018, Southern University Bangladesh (SUB), Chittagong, Bangladesh ISBN: 978-984-34-3576-7