Roughly 50% of world’s population currently lives in cities and that figure is expected to rise to 70% in the next 50 years. As a result of the unregulated urban sprawl, existing traffic infrastructures are increasingly hitting capacity limits. As a result of this unregulated urban sprawl, existing traffic infrastructures are increasingly hitting capacity limits. This makes it essential to find suitable solutions to address present and future traffic problems. Ropeways are one of the best alternate options and innovative approach towards resolving this challenge.
Also you can read information about essay writing services - https://sky-writer.com/essaypro-review/ INTRODUCTION In emerging and developing countries like India the traffic problems are accentuated in a much faster and concentrated way in recent years. Many cities in India are struggling today with massive traffic problems and road congestion. The general public suffers with traffic jams, noise and poor air quality. As per recent study, average life expectancy in India goes down by 2.6 years due to air pollution. The road networks can barely cope with the huge volume of traffic. In downtown Bangkok, Manila and Shanghai for instance the average speed on weekdays is just 10 km per hour and this situation of traffic is much more similar in most of the Indian cities. In particular Shillong which is the capital city of Meghalaya and also amongst the 100 cities to receive funding under the centre’s flagship “smart cities mission”. Under the scheme each city will get funding from the central government for implementing various projects. Shillong which is undoubtedly the “Scotland of the east” but it has one major problem of traffic and urban mobility which is the main cause of concern in recent days Shillong is facing. It can be worse in coming years due to the addition of new vehicles on roads along with the running of existing vehicles such as cars, taxis, buses, etc as except this no other mode of local transportation is available in Shillong. POPULATION PROJECTION Population projection of greater Shillong planning area (GSPA) is given in the table below. Year Population Growth rate 1971 155600 1981 217274 39.60% 1991 271113 24.80% 2001 331373 22.20% 2011 354759 7.05% 2021 379770 7.05% 2031 406544 2041 435205 (Source: City Development Plan, Shillong) As the population of greater Shillong planning area (GSPA) is increasing in every decade from 1971 till present and as per geometric progression of population projection, it will further increase in coming decades. Hence the need for local transportation is also increasing every year resulting in unregulated urban sprawl, huge traffic jams and large blockades of roads and highways. REASONS FOR TRAFFIC JAMS IN GSPA Improved economic condition amongst the peoples, easy availability of loans for purchasing of vehicles and the flooding of vehicles from neighbouring states, the problem of traffic congestion arises. As per survey data, the number of vehicles playing the city streets in peak day is 1,70,870 and on an average day, it is approximately 93,900. This shows that the amount of vehicles running on roads in peak day is nearly two times to that of the average day playing of vehicles in the city. CURRENT TRAFFIC SCENARIO
(Source: City Development Plan, Shillong) Sr. No. Name of the road Width in mts. ADT (PCUs) Capacity (PCUs) V/C ratio 1 Dhankheti road 7.5 31590 18200 1.7 2 Fire brigade road 8 29471 18200 1.6 3 G.S road (near Center point) 8.5 32877 18200 1.8 4 G.S road (near IGP) 10 25853 25200 1 5 G.S road (near NEDFI office) 10 21785 42000 0.5 6 Secretariat road 10 42786 42000 1 7 Polo road 4.7 18876 12600 1.5 STATION SECONDARY LINE MAIN LINE MAIN JUNCTION N TO GUWAHATI TO JOWAI & SILCHAR TO CHERRAPUNJI
NH-44 Nongmy-nsongNH-40 JaiawMawlai-mawiongPolice bazarMawpremDhankhetiMadanrytingHappy valley Umpling MawbleiUmlyngkaMawlai Fire brigade Iewduh Mawpat NongrimRynjahNongthymmaiNEHU Campus PROPOSED ROUTE FOR AERIAL ROPEWAY TRANSPORTATION IN GSPA
5. Benefits of ART in shillong6. Effects of art in shillong Low space requirement as compare to other modes of transportation. A great and unrivalled view. Being airborne, ropeways can clear obstacles. There is no conflict with other traffic, as the carriageway is used exclusively by the ropeway. Consistent travel times and continuous transportation. Ropeways can handle steeper gradients than any other vehicle and are fit for use in any terrain. Ropeways are operated environmentally friendly with electrical power. Energy consumption can be adjusted to the number of passengers. One single central drive unit in a station is enough to move many vehicles. Right after the order, ropeways can be constructed over a short period of time. This is mainly possible due to the use of a modular construction. Right after the order, ropeways can be constructed over a short period of time. This is mainly possible due to the use of a modular construction. Compared to other transport systems, ropeways offer relatively low investment and operating costs. The costs of a ropeway system amount to approximately half those of a streetcar, and about 1/10 of the costs of a subway (Leitner ropeways, 2010). Boarding and deboarding is accessible in all cabins (level walk in). The cabins move through the stations at a very low speed, allowing easy boarding and deboarding. With Stop-and-Go technology, the cabins can also be brought to a complete halt for a short time. Bicycles and baby strollers can be carried in all cabins (Leitner ropeways, 2010). Compared to other means of transport, accident investigation conducted by the Federal Statistical Office Wiesbaden, 2011 (5 year period based on passenger kms travelled): Aircraft 1 accident per 113 million km Ropeways 1 accident per 17.1 million km Passenger car 1 accident per 1.46 million km Railroad 1 accident per 1.31 million km Bus 1 accident per 616,000 km Streetcar 1 accident per 225,000 km Source: Leitner ropeways (2010) It neither creates any noise pollution nor air pollution, describing it the cleanest mode of transportation and the most eco-friendly mode. It can also be the replacement of exhaust emission transport systems which are deteriorating the air quality and results in global warming. STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM ELECTRICITY SUPLLY URBAN ROPEWAYS IN WORLD INDIAN ROPEWAY
7. Application of ART in Shillong ART for tourism in Shillong Top ride comfort through heated seats, bubbles, well-padded upholstery in winter season and monsoon. Resistance to wind and weather through cutting edge ropeway technology. No chance of accident even during fogy climate and severe weather conditions as compared to the roadway transportation. Barrier free: Ideal for passengers with the bicycles, strollers or wheelchairs. It will also attract the tourism in Shillong and will also increase revenue of the city due to tourism. ART for material/goods transportation in Shillong Transportation of heavy load. Eco-friendly and space saving. Several loading and discharging points can be incorporated. Also suitable for impassable terrain and difficult gradients. Regenerative energy production possible. Ropeway for public transportation in Shillong In Shillong, buses and taxis are used for public transportation, other than this no other mode of transportation is available. Ropeways will be the best alternate and economical option for public transportation in Shillong. It will also generate employment on a large scale at the time of construction of ropeways and even after starting of its operation, it will create lot of job opportunities for the locals on the permanent and contract basis. If buses and taxis are made restricted to run on roads then the peoples affected or unemployed will be given the opportunity to work in the ropeway transport system. Buses and taxis are used to drop the students to schools and colleges which create heavy traffic jams in the city in morning hours and also afternoon and evening hours when they return to their homes. Ropeways can provide them easy, barrier free and convenient journey at low cost as compare to buses and taxis. It will help in elimination of the school and college buses also public buses from the roads which results in 40% reduction in traffic jams in the city. It can be made compulsory in the city allocating separate cable cars to separate schools and college from each and every location of the city at different time intervals and that should not be allowed to use by public.
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