Traffic and our city

Dr Timothy Oketch, a transport engineer was in Kampala to launch traffic modelling as a way of solving the traffic problems as well as help with providing good transport solutions. We had a quick Q&A on what ails the transportation system in Uganda and how traffic modelling can help decongest the city.

From an expert’s perspective, what is the state of Kampala’s traffic?
It is congested, like it is in many cities with a growing population. Maybe a little more than many developed countries because a large number of vehicles and pedestrians have to share the same strained road system. Let me just say, there’s room for improvement.

By improvement, do you mean a complete overhaul? Or constructing new roads along the existing ones?
It is important that transportation planning is practised. First, an analysis needs to be done to know exactly where we are, then planning for all modes of transport. If we don’t plan, we plan to fail.

How exactly is transportation planning going to help?
Well you see, there’s building roads, making improvements, and there’s making improvements that impact mobility positively. There are instances where some road improvements like a roundabout have caused even more mobility problems than advantages. So, transportation planning helps us see details like that, plan better, anticipate movement’s situations and make allowances for them. I am glad to note that UNRA is looking into improvements like that.

What exactly is traffic modelling?
It is the part of transport planning that realistically models individual vehicles, simulating a traffic situation at a given area using transport data. The latest tool, micro-simulation, helps give a very visual idea of what might happen or happens at various road sections. It incorporates real life traffic behaviour, like lane changing, gap acceptance, car following etc. as well as factors unique to certain areas like crossing pedestrians.
Micro-simulation allows non-professional persons like politicians and general public to fully appreciate the impacts of any proposed schemes. Traffic modelling also helps to forecast future travel patterns and hence future traffic volumes, and helps give an idea of requirements needed to support such volumes.

Do you think a bus system is going to immediately and satisfactorily solve the traffic problem?
Well, a reliable bus system could have a positive effect on the traffic. It has been part of the solution in many cities, but only if the system is improved to accommodate the bus. The key word is reliable, where the buses are on time and there are special features like rapid bus transit, special routes or a special green light at the traffic lights. Because they are fast and predictable more people may be encouraged to leave their cars, and thus reduce the traffic. People will opt for fleet managed buses, only if they are sure to avoid the antics of individual-owned taxis. Otherwise, just putting the buses to run without improving anything won’t be of much help.

What about the boda bodas? Are we going to ever achieve much clearer safer roads without the cyclists?
I think at the end of it all, it is all about the transportation of people. The boda bodas do not just come out of the blue, there is a transport need and they fill it. They have advantages, like how they take much less space than many other modes of transport.
I am opposed to harsh decisions like totally stopping them because they play a role, a big role and with the absence of other successful transport options, they are still needed. More planning would ensure that cyclists are accounted for in the road network and this would greatly reduce the accidents.

Why do you think the traffic situation gets worse every day even with some improvements?
There is need to couple what is going on with an overall plan. That is where new planning technology like micro-simulation comes in. They help tell what other improvements are needed. Most times, improvements are done without taking into consideration the bigger picture. But the biggest reason for the gridlock traffic is because there is no planning.

What is your take on traffic officers taking over digitalised intersections and roundabouts?
I think police officers should base their decisions on which lane to flag and who to wave- on on certain engineering principles. That means they would need capacity building to be able to do this, and would have to work with transportation and planning experts.
I also think it is not wise for a traffic officer to be telling people to go when the traffic light says stop and tell them to stop when it says green. It could lead to a tendency to disregard traffic rules. I think the whole system would work better if they (the policemen) controlled traffic based on the traffic lights as well as time.

About Dr Timothy Oketch
Dr. Timothy Oketch, Ph.D., P. Eng., Dr. Timothy Oketch is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years experience in traffic engineering and transportation planning registered in several jurisdiction.
EDUCATION
Ph.D.: Transportation Engineering, Karlsruhe University, Germany
M.Sc.: Transportation Engineering, Technical University, Delft, The Netherlands
B.Sc.: University of Nairobi, Kenya
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
•Registered Engineer by ERB (R. Eng.), Kenya
•Member Institute of Engineers of Kenya
•Registered Professional Engineer (P. Eng.), Ontario
•Member of TRB Sub-Committee on Micro-Simulation
•Member, Institute of Transportation Engineers
WORK EXPERIENCE
Director of TIMCON Associates, a firm offering services in traffic engineering and modeling. He previously worked in senior positions with an international engineering consulting firm. His other previous employers include Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the City of Toronto in Canada as well as a consulting engineering firm in Kenya.
PUBLICATIONS
Over 10 publications and conference presentations in referred journals and conference proceedings including Transportation Research Board.

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