A Transportation Study of Kisumu Town With Special Reference to Travel Demand Characteristics

Abstract

Previous travel impact assessments for Kisumu Town, a secondary urban centre in Western Kenya have tended to be localized around places where changes occur, so that rarely is detailed analysis' of transportation information about the whole town available. To further the planning and engineering knowledge on transportation for Greater Kisumu, a survey was mounted to establish characteristics of transportation system and travel demand patterns of the town. At the same time, the impact of travel characteristics for a secondary urban centre was determined by data collection through precise zoning. To that intent, the Kisumu Model was developed to forecast travel demand . ~ ,..••... patterns in line with socio-economic, population and general urban development of the town. As a background, investigations were made of problems of travel and impact of traffic to centres of daily household activities. The analysis of subsequent data was accomplished through intergration of existing network and zones of human activities. Ease of accessibility to Kisumu as a regional centre,and patterns of model utilization within the town were assessed. Finally, forecasts were made using traditional travel demand model components by first determining trip generation/production and trip attraction for home-based work; home-based non work; and non-home based for a full weekday. Subsequently, Hi trip distribution to determine the number for each person trip for a O-D pair was made. In the mode split component of the model an attempt was made to assess the energy performance of transport system by mode and its effect on travel patterns of the residents. Findings of the model demonstrated that a less consumptive energy transport system should be more widely used; which would perhaps encourage more overall travel than a high energy intensive transport system, particularly, where service levels would be high and travel cost reduced. In the final step, person trips were converted to vehicles trips and assigned to the Kisumu road network following the shortest path possible. The principal conclusions of the research include: 1. Relevant continuous information gathering essential for transportation planning and engineering, since, beyond planning responsibilities for existing transportation network for Kisumu there is necessity to provide for a wide variety of engineering functions such as detailed location and design studies for new facilities or traffic engineering and redesign of existing facilities 2. A well planned and organized mass transportation system should be a major policy for Greater Kisumu. The distinction on planning between inter-urban and intra-urban transportation system, should be emphasized. 3. To provide maintenance, control, safety, ease of operations and accessibility onto the Greater Kisumu network, there is an urgent need to raise revenue through planned off and on street parking management, bus terminus and development of proper goods and truck terminus. 4. The need to curb automobile travel as a control for fuel energy use is important to a secondary urban centre of a LDC economy like Kisumu. Appropriate plans for land use patterns, community structures and centres of human activities, and travel demand patterns must be adopted to minimize motor vehicle based mobility for achieving access. Increasing attention should be given to the general improvement of the environment and institution of pedestrian and bicycle schemes. 5. On the basis of this research, the Kisumu Model will be valuable transportation planning tool for Greater Kisumu, which has a generality adequate for transfer and application to a variety of similar urban centres in the region.