Table of Contents

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE OPTION OF IMPROVED PERMEABILITY TO EASE

CONGESTION IN HARARE...................................................................................................................21

Error! Hyperlink reference not valid................................................BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

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1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY..........................................................................................21

1.1.1 Global context....................................................................................................................21

1.1.2 Regional context ...............................................................................................................21

1.1.3 National context.................................................................................................................32

1.1.4 Local context.....................................................................................................................43

1.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK GUIDING THE STUDY.....................................................43

Error! Hyperlink reference not valid................................................................LITERATURE REVIEW

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1.3 LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................................65

1.4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.........................................................................................87

1.5 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.....................................................................................................98

1.6 AIM OF THE STUDY..............................................................................................................98

1.7 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY...............................................................................................98

1.8 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.......................................................................................................98

1.9 HYPOTHESIS PROPOSITIONS..............................................................................................98

1.10 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.........................................................................................109

1.11 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY/ SCOPE OF THE STUDY.............................................109

1.12 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS.............................................................................................109

1.13 RESEARCH BUDGET...........................................................................................................109

1.14 ACTIVITIES TIMELINESS...................................................................................................109

1.15 SUMMARY............................................................................................................................109
REFERENCES .....................................................................................................................................1210

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE OPTION OF IMPROVED

PERMEABILITY TO EASE CONGESTION IN HARARE

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

1.2

1.2.1 Global context

Congestion has proved to be a daunting task in the global village. Studies have indicated
that the world's major cities are losing tens of billions of dollars on a yearly basis due to
traffic congestion. A major study pertaining to vehicle traffic congestion was carried out in
1360 cities in 38 countries. The World Bank (2010) claims that failure to properly address
urban congestion emanates from lack of appropriate technical studies with sound
methodologies, clearly targeted at evaluating and quantifying the economic costs of
congestion.

Los Angeles dominated Global Congestion Ranking where drivers are spending close to
102 hours stuck in congestion during peak hours yearly. Los Angeles loses $19, 2 billion
every year. The study further revealed that other cities like Moscow, San Francisco,
London and Sao Paulo of Brazil are financially bleeding through vehicle traffic congestion.
Developed countries have not been spared by traffic congestion such that drivers waste
above 3 billion gallons of fuel and spend close to 7 billion excess hoursexcess hours excess
hours or 42 hours per rush-hour commuter stuck in their cars (Schrank et al,Eisele, Lomax
& Bak,et al. 2015).
1.2.2 Regional context
Traffic congestion has risen to untenable levels in the urban centres of developing countries
since urban centres provide connections to numerous and different industrial sectors. The
challenges of urban transport have been studied extensively in developing countries by
different authors using models and theories that treat land use forecast as exogenous input
to transport models and overlooking the fundamental impact of the transportation systems
on the placement of land use activities. Therefore, applying such a model and theories two
main problems can be observed; First, self-fulfilling in which the transportation system
implicitly assumes that in the allocation of the land use activities, transportation system
found to be the best solution to meet the transportation demand specified for a particular
city (Msigwa 2013).

The world World Bank (2010) declares that tTraffic congestion hadjamcongestion had serious
negaticaused threateningveserious negative effects in Cairo theCairo the Capital city of Egypt
thereby adversely affecting personal travel time, air quality, vehicleand vehicleincreased
operating costs, public health, business environment and operations. The study clearly
indicates that Traffic congestion does not spur the urban towns in developing countries as
indicated by the traffic congestion faced by Harare.

1.2.3 National context

Zimbabwe attained it'sits independence in 1980. By then the Local Authority had a public
transport system in place. Harare United Bus Company operated within a radius of of 26
km from the Central Post Office.ItOffice. That It was an era of long queues for commuters
to go to and from work during peak hours. The road infrastructure such as bus terminus
were well designed but the shortfall was on the supply of enough buses. Buses were given
direct routes from residential areas to industrial sites or to city centre or vice-versa. There
was no or minimal traffic congestion if any to be experienced by that time.
The Government sort to redress the socio-economic imbalances that had occurred before
independence and they took over majority shareholding (51%) in the then renamed bus
company to ZUPCO. They influenced fares and legislation to allow informal players known
as "emergency taxis" to operate in certain routes. The bus company was eventually caught
up with operational costs resulting in poor service deliveries.

The introduction of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme in 1994 later saw the
government deregulating the urban public transport policy. Opportunities were presented
to minibus operators. The coming in of the new plyersplayersplayers pushed ZUPCO out of
business signifying the death of publicMass transportation.

The introduction ofintroduction ofmultiple currency multi-currency incurrency in regime

adopted inthe economy after the 2009 created vast anopportunities foropportunity
foropportunity for nearly every citizens to access the United States Dollars. That has seen
most people importing vehicles and thereby rapidly increasing the vehicle population in
Zimbabwe. According to the Herald (02 September 2014 )2014), Zimbabwe National Road
Administration says the country's vehicle population was standing at 1.2 million from
previous statistics of 800 000. The growth in vehicle population in the counrwastycountry is
also supported by the report in the DailynewsDaily News (27 June 2016), ZINARA statistics
reveals that Zimbabwe vehicle population was now standing at 1.8 million with the bulk of
them being imports from Japan. The stakeholders are marelymerelymerely expressing that
the traffic population was increasing and the Road Infrastructure was static.

1.2.4 Local context

Harare Central BusinessCentral Business District is is faced with a major challenge of
Traffic congestion. The Daily news claims that Harare city fathers have failed to plan and
the city was on the edge of imploding due to heavy Traffic burden. Vehicle population in
Harare has tremendously increased. Bandauko et al, ( (2018), estimates that 70% of
vehicles in Zimbabwe are in Harare as evidenced by the clear mismatch between increases
in the the number of vehicles plying the streets of Harare and provision of road space
resulting in severe congestion. The claim is a clear testimony of the heavy congestion which
is experienced within Harare District on a daily basis. The Transport and Logistics
industry has been negatively affected by late deliveries of customer 'scustomer’s goods and
raw materials. The pirate taxis "mushika shika" have worsened the situation. Demand for
Traffic space in Harare has now exceeded it'sits supply.

Harare District is coming to a grinding halt due to Traffic congestion. Traffic congestion
has resulted in increased accident, increased fuel consumption, environmental degradation
through noise pollution and air airpollution . pollution. The roads within Harare have
reached a point of saturation and hence demand for road space has been taken over by the
supply during morning peak and evening peakevening peakevening peak hours of the
working days. Workers going to work are investing hours in traffic congestion either
during the morning peak - hours or the afternoon peak - hours on a daily basis. The local
Government and the Ministry of Transport have tried to implement policies and measures
such as construction of traffic lights, traffic signs and deploying traffic policemen within
Harare to reduce congestion. All these measures havstrategiesemeasures have proved
unreliable because most of the time traffic lights are not working on most intersections.
The traffic signs are either not there or they are not visible to the motorists. The
deployment of traffic policemen has proved to have little effect to the reduction of traffic
congestion because most of the time impatient motorist do not respect the hand signals
displayed by the officers. This study seeks to carry out an investigation on the option of
improved permeability to ease congestion in Harare.
1.3 (3)THEORATICAL THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK GUIDING THE
STUDY
The diagram below illustrates how improved permeability can be achieved within Harare
Districturban centrescentersHarare District. It hinges on congestion pricing strategy,
mass,public, public mass transportation, GIS, Geographical Information SystemGIS-
Transportation
CONGESTION and Road Infrastructure as key factors or determinants to achieve the
PRICING
objective. The four factors are also linked indicating complementation. This also entails
-urban tolling
that in developing countries likecountries like Zimbabwe you must employ more than one
-parking bays
strategy to achieve decongestion in urban centres.
-park and ride

MASS TRANSPORTATION

-public transport

-company transport IMPROVED PERMEABILITY

-school buses
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

-traffic lights

-road maintenance

-bus terminus
Fig 1. Proposed theoretical framework

GIS-TRANSPORTATION

1.4 (4). LITERATURE REVIEW -monitoring vehicle density

-route planning
1.5
London has achieved improved permeability through public transport-real-time monitoring
provision. The
Transport network has a mult-modal characteristic dominated by a well-established rail
network augmented by a vibrant bus network and a ferry network. The integrated
networks are supported by multi-modal stations designed to achieve smooth interchange
for high traffic volumes of passengers. The London authorities have developed purpose
built bus interchanges at major stations which are within walkable distances of the railway
and underground stations and they are operated by bus station staff.Travellerworkerssstaff.
CommutersTravellers are provided with real time information as to when the next bus is due
to arrive. (Litman ,2017Litman, 2017). It is imperative to note that the achievement of public
transportation in London is enhanced by a combination of different modes of transport.
This multi-modalism approach iissapproach is proving to be a major challenge to most
urban cities in developing countries and Harare is no exception.

Improving permeability to ease congestion is not a new thing. It was achieved in Asia.
According to Aoun et al, (.,, ((2013), their study managed to achieve the reduction of
parking demand and traffic congestion at the American University of Beirut. They used
Transport DemandTransport Demand mManagementmanagement lessons adopted from five
North American case studies and formulated their own mobility solution suitable for their
unique context for a developing world. They based their research on Campus Transport
services which had unlimited access with a combination of strong parking policies
discouraging driving to Campus. The strategy played a crucial role in the reduction of
parking demand and congestion issues.

Singapore 'sSingapore madeSingapore’s attempts to manage congestion in urban centres and

it proved effective. They used what is called Area Licence other than road tolls and higher
parking charges. The fee is charged on vehicles entering restricted areas during morning
and afternoon peak. Carpool ingenious and taxis carrying more than four people are
excluded. The scheme led to the reduction in congestion. The impact was seen on increased
carpooling and bus riding rose from 41 percent to 62 percent (Small & Gomez-Ilbanez,
1997)

Tanzania is no exception to traffic congestion challengescongestion challenges faced by its

urban centres . centres. Msigwa (2013) examines many challenges leading to urban
Transportation in Tanzania such as vehicular growth, parking difficulties, high rate of
accidents in urban centres, environmental and noise pollution and existing infrastructures.
However the researcher further suggested possible solutions that will alleviate transport
problems in Urban Tanzania such as improved sector coordination, construction,
improvement and frequent maintenance of drainage systems, provision of functional traffic
lights, restricted, restricted car use and regular maintenance of roads in urban centres.

Bandauko et al...,.( (2016), further argued that the current urban transport system in
Harare which is dominated by minibuses was unsustainable. They further proposed that
mass transit was the way to achieving smarter urban transportation systems.

According to Small and Gomez-Ibanez, ( ((1997), congestion pricing was not

acceptedresistednot accepted in Cambridge because it was introduced without grassroots
support. They wanted to introduce the real-time pricing by means of an in-vehicle meter.
The strategy was not fafavourablefavourable vtooured byfavoured by citizens because it had
other external factors such as bad weather that could influence the charges and as a result
it could push the drivers to drive un-safely and avoid triggering the meter.

Kumar (2016) argues that the construction of flyovers to solve traffic congestion is not a
solution. Further stated that flyovers only shift traffic congestion from one place to
another. The construction of flyovers in Sri Lanka as a management strategy worsened the
situation by increasing the number of accidents and congestion levels at Dehiwala..
(Bandara & Perera, 2014). Though the argument is that construction of flyovers is not a
panacea, Zannat et al.,, ( ((2014), carried a benefit to cost ratio analysis of the Chittagong
Port Flyover. The flyover was constructed in Bangladesh and it managed to reduce traffic
congestion.

Aliyu, Abubakar and Adamu et al, ( 2015( )2015)(2015), have a different perspective on
congestion reduction strategy, expanding the road, construction of proper drainage,
availing parking space, creation of alternativeof alternative ways for trucks and heavy
vehicles and prohibiting all forms of road side hawking would reduce traffic congestion.

Singh, Bansal and Sofat et al, ( ((2014), argues that the use of traffic lights, traffic signs,
deploying traffic policemen and round - about are traditional methods and hence cannot
cop up with increased congestion. The concept indicates that Harare trafficHarare traffic
planners pPlanners are not moving with time in line with increased vehicle population. The
local authorities must adopt new and modern technology of controlling traffic whitraffic
volume tochtraffic which minimises traffic congestion.

The Scandinavian cities developed a unique type of of congestion road pricing. Toll rings
were established around Norwegian cities and Stockholm of Sweden. The toll rings evolved
into a congestion pricing system despite their intended objectives of financing transport
infrastructure improvements. (Small & Gomez-Ilbanez, 1997Ibanez ,Ibanez1997, 1997). Toll
rings can contribute significantly towards decongesting the urban centres and the pricing
must follow the pattern of traffic flow or must be defined in terms of morning or afternoon
peak hours.

In developed countries like the UK and China traffic congestion and traffic management
inmanagement involume in the urban cenistres iscentres is managed in many different
ways .strategies. ways. Some of the essential system in place are the use of adaptive traffic
lights which senses real time traffic information, collision, collision avoidance systems and
weather warning systems. The use of Global Positioning System (System (GPS) linked to
tom tom Tom Tom for Traffic routerouteTraffic route guidance, car tracking systems and
road surveillance cameras are also used in South Africa in urban centres likecentres like
Johannesburg. (Masinga 2017 ).

Developed countries like Australia they use Intelligent Transport Systems to control traffic.
Intelligent Transport System is highly sophisticated with diverse applications connected to
vehicle Transportation. It is used to monitor traffic congestion in urban centres and
thereby increasing safety, delivering environmental benefits and keepings track on the
congestion beftraffic volume before congestionorecongestion before it takes place. Provide
Real-Time information about traffic conditions. (Singh et et al.,al,et al. 2014). Intelligent
Transportation System sounds the end of it all but it is very costly for Developing countries
to install such methods for congestion management. However in the long run, costs will be
out - weighed by the benefits.

Hong Kong traffic congestion management strategy is heavily dependent on public

transport services which include various transport modes such as railways, trams, buses,
minibuses, taxis and ferries. The strategy has achieved a high public transit mode share of
90 percent% and a very low vehicle ownership rate of 50 vehicles per every 1000
individuals. The government has allowed several players to participate as operators, (.
((Litman, 2017).

1.6 (5). STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Traffic congestion has become a major challenge in Harare in recent years. There has been
suggestions talk on the various methods to ease congestion such as congestion pricing, mass
transportation, intelligent, intelligent , intelligent transport system and road
Infrastructuinfrastructurereroad Infrastructure development but na few have been implemented.
onnone has been clearly adoptedclearly adopted. If any has been adopted Tthere are no
significant results achieved in reduction of congestion. It has come with negative costs in
the area of Logistics and Transport business. Congestion has contributed to increase in
lead times and delays in customer service deliveries and environmentaand land
environmental damage through pollution. What is clear is that efforts to ease congestion
suchcongestioncongestion throughsuch as widening the roads and introduction of one way
roads were not sustainable. The study seeks to investigate on the best option of improved
permeability to ease congestion in urban centrescentres.

1.7 (6). PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To find the best option of improved permeability that will achieve decongesting in urban
Harare. The solution must be sustainable and it must be within the means of a developing
world.

1.8 (7). AIM OF THE STUDY

To achieve the reduction in traffic congestion througvolume andhcongestion through
improved permeability in a sustainable way that will benefit the environment, public and
the economy at large.

1.9 (8). OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To find the best option of improved permeability to ease congestion sustainably in urban
Harare.
2. To investigate on the constraints and potentials of adopting improved permeability to
ease congestion.

3. To examine how improved permeability can be achieved.

4. To examine how traffic congestion is managed in the city.

1.10 (9). RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What best option of improved permeability can be adopted to ease congestion in urban
Harare?

2. What are the constraintts and potentials of adopting improved permeability to ease
congestion?

3. How can improved permeability be achieved?

4. How is traffic congestion managed in the city?

1.11 (10) HYPOTHESIS /PROPOSITIONS

H0 :H0: There is no association between improved permeability and congestion.

H1 :ThereHH1: There1: There is an association between improved permeability and

congestion.

1.12 (11). SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study 'studysstudy’s superiority anchors on the thrust of improved permeability tand new
technology toopermeability to reduce traffic congestion and ultimately benefit the
environment, logistics,, logistics and transport organisations and the economy of the
country through improved Gross Domestic Product.TheProduct. The researcher uses it to
develop and gain experience inexperience researchin research knowledge andknowledge and
skills. The findings will assist the local Government and the Ministry of Transport to
implement advanced solutions in order to reduce congestion within Urban Centres. The
study on the investigation on the option ofoption of improved permeability to ease
congestion appearscongestion toappears to be the first onefirst one in Zimbabwe and hence
it will be crucial to others in researchers inresearchers in the field of Logistics a ndLogistics
and Transport.

1.13 (12). DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY/ SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research is going to betogoing beto be conducted within Harare District. It is going to
be carried out within a very limited space of time from 20 July 2018 to 30 November
2018November 2018, this short period may end up affecting theaffecting the quality of my
research because the period is not enough to gather the relevant datacrucial
informationrelevant data about the targeted population. The target population or my study
subjects is the Local Government officials and the Ministry of Transport. The study is
carried under the field of Logistics and Transport.

1.14 (13). DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Traffic congestion is a condition that occurs as the use of roads increases characterised by
slower speeds, large trip times and increased queuing traffic volumes (queuin(g (Kerner,
2004, 2004; Chakwizira, 2007)

1.15 (14). RESEARCH BUDGET

1.16 (15). ACTIVITIES TIMELINESS

1.17 (16). SUMMARY

Traffic congestion has proved to be a challenging task to both developed and developing
countries. The e external costsexternal costs and internal costs caused by congestion haves
costeded life through inhalation of contaminated air. Nations have lost funsuffereddslost
funds through fuel cost and Gross Domestic Product. Individuals have lost jobs ,jobs,
essential appointments through increased travelling times. Organisations have lost business
and Logistics lead times have been very difficult to reduce due to increased
traffictrafficincreased traffic concongestiongestion incongestion in in urban centres. Beautiful
cities have been turned into untamed jungles with no traffic rules being observed.

Traffic congestion has brought new technologies like the Intelligent Transportation System
and the move towards achieving improved permeability within the urban centres is now
certain. The technology will contribute to minimise global warming. Hence there is need
for investment into various efforts to reduce congestion within Urban Centres. The internet
of things is the way to go to achieve smarter urban centres. The developed world is already
benefiting from the Intelligent Transportation System. However congestion pricing has
proved beyond doubt that it can handle the issue of traffic congestion in Norway, UK,
Sweden and many other countries. Developing countries need to move with speed and deal
with congestion in more advance ways. Therefore congestion can be managed and there is
need for resource investment.
REFERENCES

Litman, T. (2017). Introduction to multi-modal transportation planning. Victoria

Transport Policy Institute.

Singh, G., Bansal, D., & Sofat, S. (2014). Intelligent Transportation System for Developing
Countries-A Survey. International Journal of Computer Applications, 85(3).

Kumar, V. (2016). Littleelbowroom.

Msigwa, R. E. (2013). Challenges facing urban transportation in Tanzania. Mathematical

Theory and Modeling, 3(5), 18-26.
World Bank. 2010. Egypt - Cairo traffic congestion study - phase 1 (English). Washington,
DC: World Bank.
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/650141468248419267/Egypt-Cairo-traffic-
congestion-study-phase-1

Bandauko, E., Bobo, T., & Mandisvika, G. (2018). Towards Smart Urban Transportation
System in Harare, Zimbabwe. In Intelligent Transportation and Planning: Breakthroughs
in Research and Practice (pp. 962-978). IGI Global.

Masinga, W. G. (2017). A Smart Traffic Management System(Doctoral dissertation).

Small, K. A., & Gómez-Ibáñez, J. A. (1997). Road pricing for congestion management: the
transition from theory to policy. Transport Economics, 373-403.

Zannat, K. E., Showkat, S., & Islam, M. R. (2014). A Methodology for Assessing the
Performance of Structural Measures to Mitigate Traffic Congestion: A Case Study of
Chittagong Port Flyover. Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners ISSN, 2075, 9363

Yahampath, B., Bandara, S., & Perera, L. (2014). Engineering Solutions To Minimize
Delays And Safety Risk At Dehiwala Flyover.

ALIYU, A. A., ABUBAKAR, S. I., & ADAMU, H. (2015). IMPACT OF TRAFFIC

CONGESTION ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTY RENTAL VALUES IN BAUCHI
METROPOLIS.

Kerner, B. S. (2004). Three-phase traffic theory and highway capacity. Physica A: Statistical

Mechanics and its Applications, 333, 379-440.

Chakwizira, J. (2007). Question of road traffic congestion and de-congestion in the Greater
Johannesburg area: some perspectives. Conference Planners.

Schrank, D., Eisele, B., Lomax, T., & Bak, J. (2015). 2015 urban mobility scorecard.