Overhead Pedestrian Crossings – Economic Evaluation through Vehicle Operating Cost and Travel Time Savings

Abstract

At-grade road crossing facility presently available at the main entrance to the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) Malabe can be improved as a solution to minimize the disturbance of traffic flow along Malabe - Kaduwela road. It is observed that a large number of students cross the road throughout the day, especially during the peak of traffic. Several other reasons for this traffic congestion were identified, such as; unruliness of pedestrians, violation of traffic rules by drivers (especially bus drivers who stop buses everywhere although there are properly located bus stops), inadequate road width etc. Due to the above reasons, vehicles traveling along this stretch of road have to constantly slow down and then regain their original speed after passing the location. Introduction of an overhead pedestrians’ crossing at the location would separate pedestrians from traffic to minimize the vehicle - pedestrian conflict to create a uniform traffic flow along the road section. Hence, by minimizing the sudden speed variation of vehicles (speed change cycle) due to the existing pedestrians crossing the road, the additional Vehicle Operating Cost (VOC), additional travel time and risk for pedestrians when crossing the road, as well as uncomfortable driving condition for drivers can be reduced. The objective of this study is to minimize the additional VOC and travel time due to sudden speed variation at this existing pedestrian crossing by improving the traffic flow condition. Therefore, an overhead pedestrian crossing with the view of facilitating the pedestrians to cross the road comfortably and safely is proposed. The proposed structure has a clear height of 5.5 m and 18 m of span. Two flights of steps of one meter width were designed for both ends of the overhead bridge as access. Total cost for the proposed structure was computed for the year of 2012. Further the additional cost for the VOC and travel time per day were analyzed and predicted for a period of 20 years from the year 2012. After having determined the costs and benefits of the project, a method was evolved for relating these two so as to arrive at the assessment of the viability of the project in economic terms. Among a number of methods developed for such an economic evaluation, Internal Rate of Return (IRR) method was justified and selected. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/ouslj.v7i0.7309 OUSL Journal Vol.7 2014: 77-94