12-09-2012, 05:14 PM
Kozhikode Monorail Project Profile
kozhikode-monorail-project.pdf (Size: 1.53 MB / Downloads: 95)
Introduction
Kozhikode the traditional capital of Northern Kerala and the
most important city of Malabar region of Kerala is the third
biggest Municipal Corporation in Kerala. Kozhikode is fast
emerging as a prominent educational, commercial and trade
centre having well established national/international trade
routes. Kozhikode city alone accounts for 40% of the urban
population in the District and is experiencing a rapid growth in
urban population. Like any other urban areas, it is also having
a steady growth of motor vehicles and travel demand of people
has been increasing tremendously. In order to improve the
traffic situation, efforts were made to improve the road
infrastructure. Unfortunately, such improvements are notable
to catch up the increasing demand.
Kozhikode Mono Rail Project
A detailed feasibility study for a Mass Rapid
Transit System for Kozhikode was done through
M/s. Wilbur Smith Associates. The feasibility
study considered various feasible transit options
based on various field surveys.
Out of the 540 Kms of study area, the majority are
two lanes or with lower configuration. Four lane
divided carriageway is only 10 kms. Many of the
major traffic corridors in the city have journey
speed lower than 20 KMPH. About 1.6 lakh
vehicles of which 85% are passenger vehicles and
14% are commercial vehicles are enter and exit
through the major corridors of the city. The daily
travel demand is observed as 15.4 lakh trips and
the per capita trip rate for all modes together is
1.14. The average trip length is about 7.1 kms out
of which public transport trips have a maximum
trip length of 10.4 kms.
After considering the above facts about the existing
transit network, it has been advised to select an
appropriate Mass Transport System. Choice on public
transit options are choices about a city’s future. Multiple
choices exist in the mass transit industry. The type of
public transit system will have a big impact on Traffic
demand, Road geometrics, Transport affordability, Air
and noise pollution, Service availability to all. The Mass
Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) can be broadly grouped
into a ‘Rail based system’ and a ‘Bus based system’
classification. Within these rail and bus systems,
different technologies have different performance
characteristics and requirements to be implemented.
Conclusion
Monorail like any other forms of transport such as
railways, metro, etc. performs a social function of
providing affordable transport to the public. All
these forms of transport are characterised by heavy
capital investments with long gestation periods for
earning returns, resulting in low financial rate of
return. However, the economic benefits to the
society due to these projects are quite significant.
The proposed Mono Rail project will yield benefits
due to equivalent reduction in road traffic and
certain socio – economic benefits. Tangible benefits
are due to reduction in fuel consumption (Vehicle
operating cost – VoC) of vehicles and travel time of
passengers. Non tangible benefits include
reduction in accidents, pollution and maintenance
costs due to the monorail project.