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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All acclamation and appreciation are for the almighty Allah, who bestowed the mankind
with knowledge and granted sovereignty on earth. And all the respect for his prophet
Muhammad (PBUP) who enlighten mankind with the essence of faith in Allah and guiding
them the true path of life
I have taken efforts to carry out in complete this project. However, it would not have
been possible without the kind support and help of many individuals and organizations. i
would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of them.
I am highly indebted to Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) & Future
Generation (FG) for their guidance and constant supervision as well as for providing
necessary information regarding the project and also for their support in completing the
project.
I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents & member of
(AIRD/ MRRD) and team of research unit, for their kind co-operation and encouragement
which helped me in completion of this project.
I would like to express my special gratitude and thanks to Anila Daulatzai for giving
me such attention and time.
My thanks and appreciations also go to my colleague in developing the project and
people who have willingly helped me out with their abilities. I am highly thankful to Dr
Rajakutty who has patiently guided me from the inception till completion of the project and
for the valuable comments at every stage. Last but not least I would highly oblige my
friends Mr. Javed Ahmad, Mr. Nasrat Sadat, Muhammad Daud Ahmadzai and Mr. Najmudin
who helped me in data collection and report setting. Mr Omar Anwarzai, Head of Research
Unit and Mr Abdul Shekib Rahaman, Director AIRD for their encouragement.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
.................................
CHAPTER#1 INTRODUCTION
1. Background of The Problem
2. Definitions:
3.
02
.........................................................................
.................................................................
06
06
.....................................
06
Traffic
06
3. Traffic Congestion
4. Traffic Jam
.............................................
07
.............................................
..............................
...
07
..
07
...............................
07
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..................
08
.08
...
................................
10
.11
......................
13
17
................................
.. 17
................................
.. 17
3. Methodology:
.................................
...17
4. Sampling
.................................
......17
5. Sample Size:
.............................................
17
................................
18
..
1. General:
........................................
2. Taxi Drivers:
..................................................
3. Traffic Police:
...
19
19-25
25-31
........................................................................... 31-33
34
35
2. Conclusion:
..............................
..................................
3. Recommendation
37
39
..40
48
Abbreviations:
UN
United Nations
KTPD
IRIN
AED
NEPA
ADB
EST
Environment
GDP
ISAF
MRRD
AIRD
ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to examine of vehicles traffic problems in Kabul Afghanistan it is
a survey of different key actors, on the extent to which the traffic problems affect their
daily lives. The key actor included in study were, passengers job holders, street-vendors
traffic department and driver. Beside this main areas of enquiry, the study will also will
also investigate the responses of above mentioned key actors of the problem in terms of
their role in the problem and their responses to solutions.
The main theme of the study was to find out that factors which causes traffic
problems as well the solution to the problem in Kabul as perceived by the different
stakeholders. For this purpose 105 respondents were selected through convenient
sampling and data was collected trough interview schedule. It was found that many factors
were responsible for the problem such crowded traffic system in Kabul, excess private
vehicles, too many roads blocks/ check points, lack of awareness about traffic rules, narrow
roads, road development in slow progress, bad roads, encroachment et, contributed to
traffic problem of Kabul city. The one major reason was the government employees such as,
parliamentarians, ministers, directors and all those who are enjoying the top management
of government ranks are more frequent law breakers in city. And some respondents
claimed that they have seen some police accepting bribes form all those violators who
breaks the rules in city. The responses of the driver respondent driver showed that general
feelings that taxi drivers do not obeying traffic rules is mostly true. The reason that they
are not obeying traffic rules is that they were not aware of traffic rules. The traffic police
department of Kabul city complained about too many cars, inadequate police forces, and no
cooperation of government employees and elite class of the city, they are more frequent
traffic violators.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of The Problem
Due to the prosperous, lucrative and rich culture and natural resources Kabul has become
widely known as not only a center of international community, tourism, international trade
and investment but it is also well known for its severe traffic problem i.e. congestion and
jam.
Our research explores different factors and aspects, which hamper the traffic in city
of Kabul. The extent to which the traffic problems affect majority of the passengers job
holders, street-vendors traffic department and driver is one of the main areas of enquiry. it
also investigates the responses of above mentioned key actors of the problem in terms of
their role in the problem and their responses to solutions. Though it is a problem of
epidemic proportions in Kabul community, no one recognizes their responsibility like legal
driving, good citizenships, appropriate implementation and adherence of traffic laws in the
city.
Photo by: zabih ullah Safi
Quotes From (AED) Afghanistan Environment Department (Quqnoos Jan. 15, 2008)
Research Unit-Afghanistan Institute Of Rural Development, MRRD 7
1.3
1. Why some drivers in Kabul don t obey traffic law which causes traffic jam in Kabul
Afghanistan?
2. Does high level of income in Kabul increase the repaid motorizations, which causes
traffic congestion in Kabul Afghanistan?
3. What is the role of Kabul traffic police and drivers to decreases the traffic problems
and what is the role of cheaply imported and unregistered cars in traffic problem in
Kabul Afghanistan?
4. Who are the real law and norms breakers of Afghanistan traffic law, and what is
driving norms for afghan drivers?
5. Is there any policy drawn by the government of Afghanistan, for traffic problem of
Kabul, to decrease traffic problems?
2. LITRATURE REVIEW
2.1. DEMOGRAPHIC LAY OUT OF KABUL AND REPAID MOTERIAZTION
The rapid growth in motor vehicle activity over the last three decades in Kabul city, has in
fact outstripped population growth rates, which have them been quite dramatic.
According to A.J Habibzai at el 2010, this as July 2010 the estimated population of
Afghanistan, is at 29 million with an annual growth rate 2.47 or a 67% increase from its
1990 level. While the population of Kabul on December 29 th 2010 is approximately 4,
161000(A.J Habibzai at el, 2010)
Afghanistan experience a terrible political situation after the exodus of Russian troops
between 1992 and 2001, and during this period, the bloody civil war not only stopped the
development of the country but destroyed many provinces infrastructure including that of.
Kabul many roadways deteriorated to the point of impassibility and infrastructure was
destroyed or damaged.
Motor vehicle activity has been growing rapidly in Kabul over the last three decades, but
particularly since the 2010(A.J Habibzai at el, 2010)
Extrapolated from a population of 3,450000 in 2009 and a population of 3,568500 on
February 9 th 2010, which worsen the traffic of Kabul city day by day (un 2010) vehicle
increase and population growth in the capital have hampered the traffic system to some
extent (KTPD2010).
Delhi s motor vehicle fleet grew even more rapidly at an annual rate of around 20%, as
against a population increases of 5-6% per annum, during 1970s and 1980s.
(Madhav.G..Badami at el 2004) if we compare the annual population growth rate of Kabul
with Delhi, it explains the problem of traffic in Kabul to some extent:
According to United Nations, the Kabul population growth rate for 2000 2005 was
6.9%. And the vehicle population increase by approximately 11% annually (A.J Habibzai at
el, 2010). Rising incomes are certainly an important factor contributing to rapid
motorization in India and other rapidly industrializing Asian countries (Faiz et al 1992).
According A.J Habibzai at el, 2010, the same situation holds in Kabul, because
sizeable of population have high level of income, which raise the level of rapid
monetization, from 2001 to the present, rapid increase in population and the number of
motor vehicles spurred the demand of transportation services. Because of wars, from 1992
to 2001 Kabul suffered damage and destruction of its transportation facilities including
pavements, sidewalks, traffic circles, drainage system, traffic signals , trolleybuses and
almost all of the public transit buses(e.g. Millie).
Research Unit-Afghanistan Institute Of Rural Development, MRRD 9
Attempts to solve Bangkok traffic are easier said than practiced and congestion
problems will probably remain unless drastic changes take place. The government needs to
reconsider about their lenient policies and applying less passive means of solving the
metropolis problems. They must have enough courage and willingness to implement the
demand management strategies even though these would draw certain resistance and
strong opposition. They must be decisive in making decisions and should be free from
politics. it is perhaps better to end this paper by quoting a philosopher s words which may
enable them in decision making (Yordphol Tanaboriboon 1993)
Research Unit-Afghanistan Institute Of Rural Development, MRRD 16
3. RESEARCH DESIGN
3.1. TITLE OF THE STUDY:
Causes of vehicles traffic problem in Kabul Afghanistan and solution- people s perception
3.2. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:
The main purpose of the study is to find out that factors which causes traffic problems as
well the solution of the problem in Kabul Afghanistan as perceived by the different
stakeholders.
3.3. METHODOLOGY:
This study will interview different stakeholders (drivers, passengers, traffic police, and
cart/ roadside vendors) on their perceptions on their problem and their suggestions for
solution. A pre designed and pre-tested interview schedule were used. In addition
secondary data collection and discussion with relevant government departments will also
be conducted
3.4. SAMPLING
For collecting the relevant data, the convenient sampling technique is adopted (used).The
interviews will be conducted in specific and most traffic congested areas of the city such as
Shahrenow, Masood Square, Wazir Akbar khan, and Taimani.
3.4.1 SAMPLE SIZE:
Based on the preliminary investigation, the variability of responses from different category
of proposed respondents is very low and therefore it has been decided that the sample size
can be small. The total sample size for the study is pegged at 105 drawn from 3-4 highly
congested or traffic jam locations in Kabul city which include shahrenow, Masood circle,
wazir Akbar khan, and Taimani. the sample will comprise: vehicles (5 buses, 5 taxies, and 5
private cars from each location , 10 traffic police personnel (5 from the Kabul traffic police
department and 5 road site police),10 passenger s of 5 private cars and 5 taxies, 15
respondents from the road user of different categories such as 5 street vendors, 5 cart
vendors, and 5 pedestrians,10 job holders (5 governmental and 5private employee) and 10
military respondents (5 from ISAF forces and 5 of Afghanistan national army). the sample
distribution is presented in the table below.
S/No
Respondents
Categories
Sample size
Total
Vehicles
Operators
50
Traffic Police
3
4
Passengers
Road Users
Military Figures
Job Holders
ISAF+ Afghanistan
Army
Govt. Employees +
Private Employees
Total
15 Masood circle
15 Taimani
10 Wz. Khan
10 Shahrenow
KPTD=5
Police On Road= 5
Private Cars=5 Taxi=5
Cart Vendors=5
Street Vendors=5
Pedestrians=5
ISAF= 5 Afghanistan
Army=5
GOVT. Employees=5
Private Employees= 5
10
10
15
10
10
105
Age
Gender
Age
Frequency
Percentage
Male
20-30
31-40
41-50
Above 50
Total
18
43
17
27
105
17.14
40.95
16.19
25.71
100
Frequency
15
49
41
105
Female
Percentage
14.28
46.66
39.04
100
Frequency
10
15
11
36
Percentage
9.52
14.28
10.47
34.28
Percentage
26.67
19.05
28.57
16.19
9.52
100.0
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a
b
c
d
e
Response
Lack Of Awareness About Traffic Rules
Lack Of Regulation By Police To Observe Traffic Law
Corruption Of Traffic Police
None Provision For Lane Crossing, Signals Etc
Any Other (Specify)
Total
Frequency
Percentage
34
13
24
15
19
105
32.38
12.38
22.86
14.29
18.10
100
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Have You Seen Any Police Stopping Drivers Who Don t Obeying Traffic Rules
Response
Frequency
Percentage
a No
51
48.57
b Saw But Let Off On Bribery
54
51.43
Total
105
100.00
Source: Field Survey
In table-4.6, 48.57 of the respondents were response that they haven t seen any police
stopping drivers who don t obeying traffic rules. While 51.43% of the respondents were
response that they have seen some police stopping the drivers who don t obeying traffic
rules and let off them on bribery.
Table#4.7: How Does a Police Treat Drivers Which Break the Law?
a
b
c
d
Do You Believe That Flyover And Subway Will Be Helpful In Reduction Of Traffic Problem
Response
Frequency
Percentage
a
Yes
43
40.95
b
No
32
30.48
c
Don t Know
30
28.57
Total
105
100.00
a
b
c
Do People Use The Foot Over Bridge Or Subway Where Its Provided
Response
Frequency
Percentage
Most People
17
16.19
Some People
43
40.95
Very Few
45
42.86
Total
105
100.00
a
b
c
d
Why Do You Think People Don t Use Over Bridge Or Sub Way
Response
Frequency
Percentage
Inappropriate Locations
34
32.4
Unsafe
19
18.1
No Regulations
21
20.0
Lack Of Awareness
31
29.5
Total
105
100
a
b
Are You More Satisfied From Government Transportation Or Private Car System
Response
Frequency
Percentage
Mille bus
45
42.86
Private Taxi
60
57.14
Total
105
100.00
a
b
c
d
Percentage
21
30
31
18
100
a
b
c
Percentage
24.8
33.3
41.9
105
100
Response
5 to 10
10 to 15
15 to 20
20 to 25
Total
Frequency
38
23
10
34
105
Percentage
36.19
21.90
9.52
32.38
100
Do You Have Driving License And Traffic Police Ask About Traffic License
Response
Yes
No
Total
Frequency
65
40
105
Percentage
61.90
38.09
100
Frequency
Percentage
65
61.90
24
22.86
By Bribing
16
15.24
105
100
total
a
b
Frequency
Percentage
Yes
45
42.86
No
35
33.33
Doesn t Know
25
23.81
105
100
Total
There Is General Feeling That Taxi Drivers And Other Drivers Don t Follow Traffic Rules
Response
Frequency
Percentage
46
43.81
a Most True
34
32.38
b True To Some Extent
25
23.81
c Not True
Total
105
100
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Percentage
28.57
13.33
16.19
9.52
13.33
19.05
0
100
a
b
c
d
Do You Believe That Flyover And Basement Will Be Helpful In Reduction Of Traffic
Problem
Response
Frequency
Percentage
A
Yes
60
25.71
B
No
16
16.19
C
If Yes, Where It Will Need More
33.33
a
Masooad Squre
16
24.76
b
Abdul Haq Squre
09
100
c
Dafghanan
37
35.24
d
Demazang
12
11.43
e
Darwazai Lahore
19
18.10
f
shah-e-do Shamshira
05
4.76
g
Poliarthan
07
6.67
Total
105
100
Source: Field Survey
In table-4.23, that 60% of the driver s respondents were agreed that flyovers and basement
will be helpful in the reduction of traffic problem in different locations of Kabul city. While
% of the drivers respondents were disagree with that, flyovers and basement will be
helpful in the reduction of traffic problem in Kabul city. 15.24 of the 60% drivers
respondents show that flyovers and basement in masood square will helpful in the
reduction of traffic problem in that area. And 8.57% of the 60% drivers respondents show
that they were believe that flyovers and basement in Abdul haq square will be helpful in
the reduction of traffic problem of that area.35.24% of the 60% the drivers respondents
show, that they were believe that flyovers and basement, in Da-Afghanan will be helpful in
reduction of traffic problem of that area. 11.43% of the 60% the driver respondents show
that they were believe that flyovers and basement, in Demazang will be helpful in reduction
of traffic problem of that area. 18.10% of the 60% the drivers respondents show that they
were believe that flyovers and basement, in Darwazai Lahore will be helpful in reduction of
traffic problem of that area. 4.76% of the 60% the drivers respondents show that they
were believe that flyovers and basement, in Shah-e-do Shamshira will be helpful in
reduction of traffic problem of that area. While 35.24% of the 60% the drivers respondents
show that they were believe that flyovers and basement, in Poliarthan will be helpful in
reduction of traffic problem of that area.
a
b
c
d
e
Percentage
20.00
21.90
20.95
22.86
14.29
100
a
b
c
d
Traffic Police:
Table#4.26, What Are The Major Reason For Traffic Problem In Kabul City?
What Are The Major Reason For Traffic Problem In Kabul City
Response
Frequency
Percentage
a Too Many Vehicles
36
34.28
b Narrow Roads
16
15.23
c Encroachment By Vendors
10
9.52
d Unlawful Parking
10
9.52
e Security Post
10
9.52
f Lack Of Traffic Sense
23
21.90
Total
105
100
Source; Field Survey
In table-4.26, 34.28% of the police respondents of the field survey response that the major
reasons for traffic problem in Kabul city are too many vehicles. And 15.23% of the police
respondents were showed that, the major reasons for traffic problem in Kabul city are
narrow roads. And 9.52% of the police respondents of the field survey show that the major
reasons for traffic problem in Kabul city are encroachment of roads by vendors. And 9.52%
of the police respondents of the field survey show that, unlawful parking is the major
reason for traffic problem in Kabul city. And 9.52% of the police respondents of the filed
survey show that security post are the major reason of traffic problem in Kabul city. While
21.90% of the police respondents were response that lack of traffic sense among drivers
and common people are major problem in Kabul city.
Table#4.27: What Are the Problems of Traffic Police?
a
b
c
d
e
Percentage
32.38
19.05
20.95
16.19
11.43
100
a
b
c
d
e
So If Some One Violates The Traffic Rules, How You Are Treating Them
Response
frequency
percentage
a fine them
55
52.38
b Just warning them
31
29.52
c they are run away
19
18.10
total
105
100
Source: Field Survey
In table-4.29, 52.38% of the police respondents were response that, if someone violates the
traffic rules, they were fine them. 29.52% of the police respondents were response, that if
someone violates the traffic rules so they were just warning them, because most of the
violators belong to governmental employees or elites. 18.10% of the police respondents
were response that they can t control due to lack of facilities, all that who violates the
traffic rules because they are run away.
a
b
c
d
e
Who Do YOU Think Are The Frequent Violators Of The Traffic Rules
Response
Frequency
Percentage
ISAF Forces
10
9.52
Afghanistan Army
20
19.05
Government Employee
38
36.19
Elites
21
20.00
Taxi Drivers
16
15.24
Total
105
100
Taxi drivers
Traffic police:
Research Unit-Afghanistan Institute Of Rural Development, MRRD 37
All police interviewees in this study complained about the government employees
(ministers, parliamentarians, and those enjoy the top management of Afghanistan
government are frequent traffic law breakers. A police interviewee complained that he
can t do to implement rules because some of government employees were threatens him
Research Unit-Afghanistan Institute Of Rural Development, MRRD 38
6. Recommendations
Based on the survey findings of vehicles traffic problem of Kabul city the following
recommendation made by the researcher:
1. KTPD need to craft effective strategy for the control of all illegal, unregistered &
unlicensed cars throughout Kabul city. And remove unnecessary check points/
blocks in city.
2. one reason behind this worse problem is lack of awareness about traffic rules
among drivers and common people, so government need to motivate members of
Kabul community through different sources i.e. news paper, television, etc, to obey
traffic rules.
3.
KPTD and road police were complained about the government employees
(parliamentarians, ministers, relative of ministers, directors etc) are more frequent
violators of rules. So government employees will need to cooperate, traffic police in
sense to follow traffic rules.
Identification
i. Name:________________________________
ii.
Native province:______________________
iii. Age:____
iv. Gender: male/ female
v. Type: Taxi Driver(1)/Car owners(2)/Traffic Police(3)/pedestrians(4)/
7. Why do you think that drivers and common people don t obey traffic law?
a) Lack of awareness about traffic rules
b) Lack of regulation by police to observe traffic laws
c) Corruption of traffic police
d) Non provision for lane crossing, signals etc
e) Any other (specify)
f) All above
8. Who do you think are the frequent of traffic law breakers (Rank)?
11. Do people use the foot over bridge or subway where it is provided?
a) Most people
b) Some people
c) Very few
12. Why do you think people don t not use the over bridge or subway?
a) Inappropriate locations
b) Unsafe
c) No regulations
d) Lack of awareness
12. Are you more satisfied from government transportation or private car system?
a) Mill buses
b) Private taxi
14. Street vendors working on road sides because?
a) Due to Lack of rent
b) Due to lack of proper markets
c) No regulation
d) Any other ( specify)
10. Do you believe many cars /taxies are illegal- without registration or license?
a) To a large extent
b) to some extent
c) very few
d) don t know
11. What percentage of cars/taxies, in your opinion, could be illegal vehicles?
____________________________
13. Do you believe that flyover and basement will be helpful in reduction of traffic
problem?
a) Yes
b) No
Yes, If yes where it will need more?
a) In Masooad square
b) Abdul haq square
c) Da afghan an
d) Demazang
e) Darwazai Lahore
f) Shah e do shamshira
g) Poli Arthan
4. So If someone violates the traffic rules, how you are treating them?
a) Fine them
b) Just Warning them
c) They are run away
5. What are your regulations to avoid traffic problem in Kabul city?
a) Book and seize illegal cars
b) Flyovers in different junctions
c) More subways for road crossing
d) Training for high number of traffic police
e) More traffic signals
f) More sign boards on roads
g) Any other ( specify
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