| Abstract | Since independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Dhaka, its capital city had a boom both in
population and physical size. As a result of this change, recurrent pressure on transportation has
exhausted the available resources. Rickshaw, the non-motorized transport plays an important role
in urban transportation system. This study focused on the rickshaw users and operators
characteristics, and its impact to the other vehicles in Dhaka City. This study also developed the
speed-density-flow relationships for rickshaw traffic. The rickshaw users and operators
characteristics data were collected through questionnaire surveys. To collect speed data of motor
vehicles both in VIP ( exclusive use for motor vehicles only ) and mixed modes routes, a license
plate technique was employed. Speed, density, and flow data for rickshaw were collected by using
photographic technique through a video camera.
According to the questionnaire surveys, the rickshaw mode was 'not so safe but not so
risky' while the speed is 'just right' as expressed by majority of the users. People wanted to use
this mode because it was more convenient, providing door to door service, and shorter travel time.
Because of over crowded, and poor level of services, the rickshaw users did not want to use
public buses.
Most of rickshaw drivers belong to the low income group with mostly have no education,
and about 93% of the drivers did not have their own house. About 94% of the drivers were not
the native of Dhaka city. A negative attitude was observed in regard to the policy on fixing the
rental fee by the government.
Generally, the rickshaw owners were within the low to intermediate income group with
low education level. Some owners had other job i.e., rickshaw mechanics, small business ect. In all
cases, a positive attitude was observed fo r the separation of this mode from other motorized
vehicles by providing rickshaw lane or path in all routes to improve the traffic condition.
It was observed that the speed of the motor vehicles in VIP and mixed routes during peak
and off-peak periods were significantly different with 5% level of significance. The speed-densityflow relationships for rickshaw traffic were calibrated by using six established models i.e.,
Greensheilds, Underwood, May's bell-shaped, Greenberg, 2-regime linear, and 3-regime linear
model. It was observed that the non-linear models fit the data with high correlation coefficient r
value than that of the linear models |