OPTIMISING THE TRAFFIC MOBILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR SALEM CITY

Urban traffic congestion is a recurring problem in large cities which has a negative impact on mobility, environment, local economy and quality of life. An efficient infrastructure for urban mobility is essential for maintaining and improving the quality of life within cities and ensuring sustainable development. Traffic congestion and air pollution due to vehicular emission are two challenges caused by rapid urbanization. The aim of this thesis is to develop a long term strategy for the desirable mobility pattern of the city’s population. The sustainable development of the city aims to get the efficient transport system with better accessibility to the residents and for the commuters. The roads should be clean with walk able footpaths, designated parking stretches, well designed junctions, safe pedestrian crossings and proper access to bus stands, railway stations and other transit stations. New road links and ring roads for better connectivity with the newly developing areas reduce pollution and improved road safety. The Salem City Corporation is divided into four zones namely, Suramangalam, Hasthampatty, Ammapettai and Kondalampatti. The total length of the road is 748km and total area of the city is 91.34 Sq kms. The population as per 2011 census is 8,31,038 there are two bus stations which includes 295 TNSTC buses and 86 private buses are running in the city as per 2013 statistics. Apart from this, the city traffic constitute 38,890 four wheelers 5,98,822 two wheelers 6,016 auto-rickshaws and 889 stage carriages. A detailed comprehensive traffic and transportation planning study for Salem city is not carried out in the past. Hence optimizing the traffic mobility for sustainable development is necessary.