Abstract:
Pakistan has experienced a rapid motorization in last one decade as motorized vehicle population
increased from about 5.3 million in year 2002 to 11 million vehicles of all type in year 2012. Also, the
large scale migration of people into cities has resulted into urban sprawl and is incurring huge social
cost in term of traffic congestion and higher housing prices. Aging transportation infrastructure of
cities like Rawalpindi is unable to meet the enhanced traffic demand due to increased motorization. A
well-planned, efficient and sensible transportation system is necessary to ensure the better traffic
movement and operational condition of road system.
Our focus of study is to identify the traffic congestion problems of Rawalpindi Saddar (from Qasim
Market Intersection to Pearl Continental Intersection) and coordinating the signals using advanced
traffic simulation and coordination softwares. Longer delays at the intersection and slow traffic speed
on links are damaging the environment of Rawalpindi. In addition, we have proposed different
infrastructure interventions.
Present effort aims to investigate the traffic congestion problems of Rawalpindi and to suggest suitable
cost effective solution for relieving traffic congestion and to reduce travel time, vehicle operating and
environmental costs.
