Study on Existing Parking Condition On Major Roads in Salem and Suggestions for Improvement

Abstract

Salem is the fifth largest city with a population of 7.54 lakhs (2011) in Tamil Nadu. Parking is one of the major problems that are created by the increasing vehicle traffic. It has an impact on transport development. The availability of less space in urban areas has increased demand for parking space especially in central business area. This affects the mode choice also. This has a great economical impact. Two wheeler sales at 15 million are expected to grow 14-15%, while car sales close to 8 lakhs units a year. In order to accommodate the large volume of vehicle, small cities and towns must develop the affect their infrastructures – roads, flyovers, car parks and other facilities. Otherwise their arteries are most likely to get clogged like it happens in big and mini metros. The solution for this is systemic survey and management of traffic and pedestrian, although at a nascent stage in India, it the one of the options to decongest roads and solve parking and pedestrian problems. Before taking any measures for betterment of conditioned, data regarding availability of parking space, extent of it usage and parking surveys are intended to all these information. Since the duration of parking varies with different vehicles, the data has to be analyzed to access the parking need. As the traffic on the existing road system in the cities increases, congestion becomes serious problem. Thus there could be medium and long term solution measures.