Modification of Major Intersections in Urban Area of Sialkot City, Pakistan

Abstract

Traffic management is a major problem in large cities of Pakistan. Pakistan is a developing country with aging infrastructure of roadways and railways. The traffic conditions are deteriorating due to inappropriate design. Traffic problems due to improper design have resulted in loss of the life and property. The main purpose of this study is to identify the existing traffic condition of Sialkot City, Pakistan at Daska, Model Town Bhed Puli and Gulistan Cinema intersection. The Sialkot City is connected with Narowal, Gujrat and Gujranwala through Metalled streets. Sixteen hours of Manual Traffic Count was conducted at each intersection. Equivalent factors for Passenger Car Unit recommended by Government of Punjab are used. Afterwards, analysis has been carried out using Signalized and unsignalized Intersection Design and Research Aid (SIDRA) software. It is observed that Level of Service (LOS) is poor and Volume Capacity Ratio (V/C) is higher for the selected intersections. In order to eliminate the issues of the selected intersection, a few enhancements are suggested and are described in detail. LOS is improved by provision of signals for Gulistan Cinema intersection and Model Town Bhed Puli intersection along with separation of slow moving vehicles by providing service lane; whereas for Daska intersection, freeway provided for traffic channelization with provision of bus bay and parking lane.