Evaluation of Pedestrians’ Level of Service (LOS) at Some Selected Sidewalks of Dhaka

Abstract

As the population of Dhaka is growing very rapidly, the sustainable transport strategy of Dhaka
should try to preserve and expand the modal share of pedestrians, which accounts for the majority
of all short trips made however unfortunately pedestrian zones are probably the most neglected
and underutilized in Dhaka transportation system. This study focuses on assessing pedestrian
behaviour at crosswalks. The basic relationship between flow – energy – densities was analyzed
and analyzed in Dhaka. A video recording technique was used at the four study sites to observe
pedestrian characteristics such as flow and movement. These data were used to simulate
mathematical models yielding the aforementioned relationships. A decision coefficient, R2, was
calculated to obtain the best fit for each relationship. The results of this study were compared with
those of other studies. Finally, Level of Service (LOS) restrictions for pedestrians on the sidewalks
were defined. Our Study area was Notun Bazar, Badda, and Gulshan-1 & Gulshan-2. At each
location, we collected data from 150 meters and divided it into 3 portions. In the Notun Bazar
sidewalk, the width is 6 feet, and the total number of passing people in 60 minutes is 1870 nos.
total obstacle is 5nos. On the Notun Bazar sidewalk, the width is 10 feet, total number of passing
people in 60 minutes is 4570nos. In the Gulshan-2 sidewalk, the width is 19.5 feet, total number of
passing people in 60min is 1112 nos. We obtained the Notun Bazar and Badda Link Road for the
Pedestrian Level of Service categories. E. Gulshan- 2 the Pedestrian Level of Service D. Gulshan
1 the pedestrian level of service C. Badda & Notun Bazar has the worst scenario among our four
selected locations. There are temporary shops and electric poles in the middle of the sidewalk. It
reduces the speed of the pedestrians. So, Sidewalk should be free to increase LOS. Traffic
management is one of the best things we can do to improve the LOS. Gulshan 01 is an example for
us as it has an automated traffic management system. Gulshan 02 sidewalks have temporary bus
counters which also reduce the speed of pedestrians.