Browsing by Author "Kumarage, KAS"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

item: Thesis-Abstract
Bus and rail travel modelling for Colombo metropolitan region : a theoretical approach to mode choice modelling
(12/2/2011) Widanapathiranage, SJ; Kumarage, KAS
The most common approach to modelling in Sri Lanka is based on zoning of the area concerned, and the identification of the travel network within the area, connecting the different zones. The resulting travel patterns of bus and rail are understood as an inter-zonal travel made between the different zones. The set of models used for transportation planning in the Colombo Metropolitan Region has inconsistent structural forms with the formulation of different types of variables. Most of these variables are not common to each other. As a consequence the model estimation requires a large data base. Pertaining to this, a set of bus and rail passenger demand model forms is calibrated to a common modelling format, on a scientific basis. These models attempt to explain (a) bus travel demand, (b) rail travel demand using season tickets,(c) rail travel demand using ordinary tickets and (d) total bus and rail travel demand. In these models, the impedance to travel is expressed in a generalized form, which includes travel fare, waiting time, transfer time and travel time. The product of employee population and the housing density between zones are the best fitted variables which explain the travel characteristics of the region. The Mode choice modelling is one of the most crucial parts of travel demand modelling. With regards to this, the sound theoretical approach to the modelling facilitates the better understanding of traveller behaviour in the mode choice process. The theoretical framework of the bus and rail choice model has been formulated using logit theory, energy theory and economic theory. The variables fitted in this model are expressed by time variables such as, the utility difference between passengers (a) walking time to the mode, (b) in-vehicle travel times of bus and rail and (c) the loss of traveller comfort due to the loading levels and waiting time of the modes. The inclusion of bus and rail loading factors in the model, is important and has a great ability to represent the traveller characteristics of the inter-zonal travel. Therefore, the model can be applied for transportation planning studies not only to the study area but also to any Metropolitan region in the developing countries, which is of a similar nature in the travel characteristics. The statistical tests reveal that the set of demand models for bus, rail and total public transportation has been successfully calibrated. It indicates the variation of the coefficient of correlation is between 70% and 80%. In fact, the choice model indicates this value is 85%, and 0.289 of the log likelihood index, which makes one conclude that the theoretical choice model has an acceptable fit, of the variables and the data.
item: Conference-Abstract
Compensation systems for road accident victims
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa., 2011-07) Piyasekara, ARR; Kumarage, KAS; Pasindu, HR
Worldwide over 1.3 million Persons killed, 50 millions injured in 2007 due to road traffic accidents. In 2004,Road Traffic injuries was the ninth leading cause of death.By,2030 it is estimated the fifth leading cause of death, beating the rank of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Sri Lanka is experiences an increasing trend in road accidents during the last few decades. Ignoring safety hazards may lead to increase in the number of serious accidents. Collected data on accidents from the police and literature reveals several important issues in road traffic accidents and compensation process. Traffic accident victims suffer a great amount of damages. They are not only susceptible to bodily injuries but they may also succumb to financial problems arising from the hospital bills, medical treatment or rehabilitation. However, the trauma from such accidents seems to be immeasurable. As this trauma is often accompanied by pain, suffering and emotional distress, victims may not be expected to get on their feet as quickly as possible. Often times, after a traffic accident ,most victims are simply overwhelmed by the barrage of telephone calls, insurance paper work, accident reports, treatment costs, medical bills, paperwork and other correspondence. These may be too hard to handle for a victim who may want to rest and take a time off from distractions. Due to existing compensation system for road traffic accident victims in Sri Lanka, vulnerable road users are doubly vulnerable. Hence it is very important that the compensation systems and legal procedures should be simple and accessible to the victims of road traffic accidents. This thesis discusses the features of the post accident process, its impact on the road traffic accident victims and systems which are practicing worldwide to compensate road traffic accident victims.
item: Conference-Abstract
Franchising of long distance bus service in Sri Lanka in order to improve the quality of the service
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa., 2011-07) Karunarathna, PGC; Kumarage, KAS; Pasindu, HR
The topic consists with two main areas as franchising of long distance bus service and quality of the service. Long distance bus services are regulated by the National Transport Commission, and bus industry in Sri Lanka has passed mainly four periods, and it can be seen different services provisions in terms of management ownership and regulatory structure of the bus industry. But the problem is long distance bus services are not successfully providing a reliable ,safe and efficient service for passengers .The National Transport Commission is finding on possible ways of making balance with objectives of long distance the bus operator and the passenger in order to establish a reliable and sustainable long services .Sri Lanka has passed four periods of Omni bus services, and it can be seen different services provisions in terms of management ownership and regulatory structure of the bus industry. Although there is a period of 100 years old history of Omni bus transport in Sri Lanka, the country is not successful with providing a competitive service for passengers. National Transport Commission has drawn its attention towards franchising of long distance bus services helps to create a better path for an acceptable bus services for the three parties (passenger, operator and the regulator). The main objective of this study is to propose a suitable franchising system for long distance bus services and recognition of strengthens and weakness of existing reform of management of omnibus industry that is being made by the National Transport commission. Descriptive method is used for the study, and the conclusion is that the franchise system should be improved with new management system that is suitable to the country.
item: Conference-Abstract
A methodology for design of pedestrian crossing facilities in Sri Lanka
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa., 2010) Kaluarachchi, S; Kumarage, KAS; Pasindu, HR
Accommodation of pedestrian should be an integral part of any transport infrastructure design project. Pedestrian facility comprises with walkways and pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians have a right to cross roads safely. Therefore road designers have a professional responsibility to plan, design and provide safe walking and crossing facilities in their designs. Analyses of recent accident studies have identified that pedestrians comprise a significant proportion of serious injuries and fatalities while they were crossing the road without using a designated pedestrian crossing. Majority of pedestrian accidents occur while negotiating a road crossing, hence provision of safe and effective pedestrian crossing facilities are paramount. Sight distance, level of service and delay to pedestrians are major parameters to be considered with warrants prior to installation of a pedestrian crossing. Introduction of a crossing without following a rational design approach would create additional delays and such a provision would even be hazardous. It is important to recognize the correlation between pedestrian travel characteristics, with parameters such as speed, density, flow and space by conducting comprehensive pedestrian surveys. Design of a pedestrian crossing requires basic understanding of related human behaviors, characteristics and capabilities which again depend on age, physical and mental condition of pedestrians, who are expecting to negotiate a crossing. So the main objective of this study is to develop a guideline to assist in determining the appropriate crossing facility for a given location of a road based on the sight distance, Level of Service, delay to pedestrians and vehicles, pedestrian speed, density, flow and space in addition to the warrants.
item: Conference-Abstract
Study on promotion of bicycles for school children in Eastern Province
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa., 2011-07) Weerasinghe, WPDVM; Kumarage, KAS; Pasindu, HR
Various organizations belonging to governmental as well as nongovernmental sectors are presently engaged in promoting the use of push bicycles. Every such organization involved in this endeavor is of the view that bicycle has the potential to face the challenges posed by the motorized modes of transport. In the Sri Lankan context, promotion of the use of bicycle is a long felt need and has reached the proportion of needing the priority basis for its handling. This thesis is just a small step of a longer journey in that direction. It has collected and analyzed every fact and figure that counts to establish a solid factual basis to start a program of distributing bicycles among the needy school children in the Eastern Province as an initial step. The study also has the scope of extending it to other provinces, too. The purpose of the thesis also carries an institutional requirement of the National Transport Commission (NTC) of facing the problem of providing transport for school children. The NTC which was setup for the sole purpose of handling transport by omnibus has now realized the usefulness of the bicycle in discharging its responsibilities. The thesis, therefore, will provide the NTC with a factual basis to venture in to a program of donating bicycles to school children and at the same time to encourage the use of bicycles in the whole country. The reasoning based on scientific analysis of data adopted here is applicable to other parts of the island, too, because, the sample area taken for the study is reflective of common conditions prevailing in the country. Beyond the immediate need the study has well established the importance of the bicycle as a way of life in tomorrow's world. Things such as, special lanes for cyclist, wayside protective shelters and repair shops should not be in the area of wishful thinking in the future.