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Citation |
Shaik RA. Transp. Res. Rec. 1995; 1487: 27-36. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1995, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Transportation in developing countries is of great significance because of its contribution to national and regional economic, industrial, social, and cultural development. However, most developing countries are facing problems related to traffic and transportation. Inadequate transportation facilities retard the process of socioeconomic development in a country. Especially in a heavily populated country such as India, managing different aspects of transportation is a difficult task. The most important problem concerning highway/transportation professionals in India is that of highway safety. Ministry of Transport figures show that approximately 60,000 people died in road accidents in 1992. The fatality rates are high in many cities in the subcontinent. India has the dubious distinction of accounting for 6% of the world's road deaths while having just 1% of the world's vehicles. There is also a growing concern over the high degree of air pollution in Indian cities. It is evident that most pollution is caused by motor vehicles. The present lead content in gasoline is 0.54 g/L. The government is attempting to lower the lead content to 0.15 g/L, which is nowhere near the world average lead content of 0.013 g/L. The growing trend toward private transportation increases congestion. The way to avoid congestion is to travel by mass transport or railways. India has the third largest rail system in the world after the United States and the former Soviet Union. Despite the efforts of the government, the numbers of accidents and fatalities are increasing year by year, and the environment is becoming more polluted without any strict environmental regulations. Roads are getting congested because more vehicles travel on them. India's government should pass legislation to control vehicles on roads and enforce tougher environmental regulations. With the majority of World Bank funds allocated toward transportation and highways, the government should adopt the latest technology and introduce mass rapid transit to reduce congestion and accidents on roads. Language: en |
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Keywords |
Accident prevention; Economics; Highway accidents; Air pollution; Rapid transit; Transportation; Railroad transportation; Mass transportation; Lead |