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| An Explicit Study of Pedestrian and Vehicular Traffic at the Kampala International University Western Campus Junction, Ishaka Crossing Point to Determine If a Pedestrian Crossing Facility is Justified (Uganda) |
LION ENGR. ITAFE VICTOR ADACHA, HND (Civil), PGDPM, MNATE, MNSE, COREN
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Abstract:
This study sets to investigate the pedestrian and vehicular characteristics at the Kampala International University (KIU) western campus junction, Ishaka, Uganda, where a hunch was made that a formal pedestrian crossing point was required. This is due to the fact that it was hypothesized that the vehicular volume and speed were high in effect that it made crossing of the road section by pedestrians difficult. Traffic accidents involving pedestrians have become a major safety problem all over the world, particularly in developing countries, due to high population density, rapid urbanization, and lack of adherence to traffic regulations by both drivers and pedestrians. This made this research critical and hence the need to be undertaken. The major task was to determine if a formal pedestrian n crossing point was required at Kampala International University (KIU) western campus junction, Ishaka. Specifically, the average traffic volume and speed during peak hours, average pedestrian volume during peak hours at Kampala International University (KIU) western campus junction, Ishaka and the pedestrian behavior such as overall time used in completing a crossing maneuver, crossing trajectory and comfort when crossing the highway segment was analyze. Characteristics such as vehicular speed, pedestrian crossing and waiting times, pedestrian and vehicular volume were all investigated. Data was acquired majorly through manual tallying. After acquiring these data, it was scientifically analyzed to prove if indeed there was conflict in that area using the PV2 method which relates the pedestrian and vehicular volume. A value more than would necessitate a formal crossing point. Other site characteristics such as route to school, shops and community facilities were also investigated to establish the importance of the crossing point. The collected data was then presented in tabular form and also graphically and later analyzed mathematically to identify if a formal pedestrian crossing point was required. It was observed that a value of PV2 exceeded the required limit by a considerable amount, also, during the peak periods the average pedestrians and vehicles passing through that section which is basically high. The average crossing time used to safely complete a crossing maneuver was also basically high compared to 10 seconds that is actually required. Crossing was compromised in comfort and safety as most of the time pedestrians were running across. This necessitated the need for a formal crossing point. Appropriate recommendations were later on drawn at the end of the project so as to come up with an apparent solution to the crossing problem.
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