Restricted growth of private cars needed

The World Car Free Day has been celebrated on September 22nd, 2011 to reduce or eliminate the use of private cars and to consider alternatives, like bus, walking, cycling etcetera, just for a day. However, no such activity was found in the city of Dhaka. The number of private cars due to general strike was of course minimal throughout the day. Notably, though people might not think of a car-free Dhaka, people would certainly find many of the city's problems, especially related to congestion, parking etc., partially solved if a smart growth of personal transports is ensured. Dhaka, once known as the city of rickshaws, is gradually becoming a city of personal cars and congestion. Congestion at times, seems to be unbearable and people are fighting a losing battle to cope with the situation. So far many projects for the city have been planned and many short term strategies like restricting rickshaws on some roads have also been applied. Virtually all modes except private cars have been identified as the main reason behind congestion, with a particular focus on rickshaws. Private car, though, viewed as the freedom of choice, accounts for an insignificant number of passengers but to date no steps have been taken to check the number of private cars. Although many roads in the capital have been made off-limit to slow-moving rickshaws with a view to easing nagging traffic congestion, it has worked little as no less than 50 cars are added to the city's limited roads everyday. Dhaka Urban Transport Network Development Study (DHUTS), a 2010 study by Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB), showed that a rickshaw carries 50 to 60 passengers on average a day, while a private car, though 2.5 times bigger than a rickshaw in size, carries only three to four passengers. The DHUTS also showed that a car is driven 10 per cent of the time and remains parked for 90 per cent of time somewhere on a city road, occupying space. The most demanding mode of transport in terms of space is the private car. For example a journey homework by car consumes 90 times more space than if the same journey was taken by metro rail and 20 times more if it was taken by bus or tram. Again, demand for parking is in general, directly proportional to the amount of travel. Demand for travel within Dhaka can be attributed to many factors. An increase in the number of cars will naturally increase the demand for travel and hence parking. Unfortunately, due to absence of proper planning, parking lots are absent in many places in the city and as such, people park on the busy roads. Parking lots in Dhaka are unable to bear the pressure of existing number of cars let alone the ever increasing numbers. It is certainly not energy efficient to carry an average of 1.2 - 1.4 people per trip in a car which itself weighs more than 1,000 kg. It does not matter how environmentally friendly cars are made through technological improvement; they consume 3 times more energy and produce 3 times more carbon dioxide (co2) per passenger than public transport. Uncontrolled use of private cars exacerbate the situation. So, ensuring a smart growth of private cars is essential, considering in particular the congestion factor, fuel efficiency, parking problem etc. The time has come to calculate and fix the exact number of private cars (as in Singapore) that can ply on the city's limited roads so that congestion, at least, can be improved partially. But the city's public transport system, at the same time, has to be improved as all citizens should have access to a reasonable level of public transport and mobility in urban area without having to resort to a car. The writer can be reached at email: shafiq@iidfc.com