Traffic Impact Analysis of New Islamabad International Airport

Abstract

Pakistan is a country with very extensive and varied transportation system. Globalization, commercial activities at national level and inefficient modes encouraged Pakistan’s air traffic to register an appreciable increase. Consistent land development and population increase in twin cities i.e. Islamabad and Rawalpindi, particularly in the vicinity of existing airport has registered the development of new airport. The construction of New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) is in last stages and its operation is expected in 2016.This significantly very important land development in the twin cities is expected to effect a major transformation in the prevalent traffic patterns on the existing transportation infrastructure. Before the commencement of operations at the new airport, an incisive Traffic Impact Study (TIS) is deemed essential to highlight the forecasted capacity issues of existing transportation infrastructure resulting from the enhanced influx of traffic generated due to the construction of NIIA so as to recommend viable traffic engineering solutions leading to a comprehensive Transportation Infrastructure Development Plan (TIDP). With this perspective in view, this research study was undertaken to carry out the Traffic Impact Analysis for the development of NIIA. A pragmatic approach and chronological methodology was followed for the accomplishment of targeted objectives of this study / project. In first stage, “Impact area” surrounded by trip generating districts was selected and divided into six traffic analysis zones (TAZs). Using the standard methodology of Traffic Demand Analysis, (i.e. analysis of background traffic, trip generation, trip distribution and assignment) and incorporating the appropriate software (PTV VISTRO, PTV VISSIM, HCS 2000 and HIGHPLAN 2012) and utilization of HCM (Highway Capacity Manual) formulae guidelines, capacity of selected twelve intersections and eight roadway sections within the impact area was evaluated keeping in view the following scenarios: (1) without development of NIIA and without transportation interventions in year 2016 (i.e., operational analysis of back ground traffic); (2) with development of NIIA and without transportation interventions in year 2016 (operational XVI analysis); and (3)with development of NIIA and with transportation interventions in the horizon year 2030 ( design analysis). Keeping in view the operational results obtained from foresaid scenarios, optimized TIDP for a sustainable traffic system is designed and suggested for selected intersections and roadway sections for the horizon year 2030; such as addition of extra highway lanes, grade separated lanes on intersections, turning bays and signal optimization along with the physical intervention of Southern corridor for inter-city traffic “Rawalpindi bypass”. The analysis’ results and consequent TIDP proposed in this study can very effectively be used by important highway agencies to plan future development in the twin cities and other cities where such new land developments are envisaged.