Understanding traffic congestion from stakeholders' perceptions in the central area of Lahore, Pakistan

Congestion on roads results in infrastructural deficiencies including massive delays, greater fatalities, and enhanced mental stresses, reduced transit efficiency, and increased travel costs. Traffic is a major problem specifically in the central area of the Lahore city. This study is aimed at understanding the traffic congestion from the stakeholders' perspective and suggesting congestion mitigation measures. A sample of 365 respondents was included through the administration of the questionnaire survey to record the explanatory variables. For this purpose, random cluster sampling method was employed to select respondents (135 pedestrians, 107 shopkeepers, 116 motorists). In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 individuals from Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) and Department of Transportation Engineering and Management (DTEM), about their perceptions of traffic management in the Lahore city. The results are described in the form of statistics of the data, qualitatively and quantitatively. The study has shown that the illegal parking on roadside, bad attitude of motorists and shop keepers, encroachments and running business on streets are the primary reasons for traffic congestion. These traffic congestions are hindering the efficient movements of the flow entities and causing mental stresses in the local residents. The findings of this study endorse that strict enforcement of traffic laws, provision of adequate parking spaces, provision of overhead pedestrian bridges, and education of traffic rules among masses could help to manage the traffic congestion in the central area of Lahore city.