NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION. Ghana s George W. Bush Highway: A Case Study for Change ING. MRS. MAY OBIRI-YEBOAH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1

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1 NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION Ghana s George W. Bush Highway: A Case Study for Change ING. MRS. MAY OBIRI-YEBOAH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1

2 Outline of Presentation 1. Introduction 2. Background of the Highway 3. Economic Benefits 4. Road Safety Challenge 5. Addressing the Challenges 6. Conclusion 2

3 Road Transport In Ghana Road transport is the major carrier ; 98% of freight and 95% of passenger traffic carriage. About 1,300,000 Vehicle fleet Used vehicles form 90% at an average age of 15 years About 4.75million passengers are moved annually Buses form 60% of vehicle fleet and carry 68% of passengers. Passenger cars (per 1,000 people)is 18. Percentage of Income spent on transport by an average person: 17% -25%

4 Road Transport In Ghana Rail - constitutes an insignificant proportion of passenger and freight transportation, currently undergoing restructuring Air - accounts for less than 1% of the transport sector. Maritime - Ghana has two main ports for import and export trades. These are the Tema and Takoradi ports. Lake - The Volta Lake is the major source of lake transportation in Ghana. It facilitates passenger and freight transportation between the Northern and Southern sectors of the Country.

5 About the NRSC ESTABLISHMENT National Road Safety Commission is the lead agency in Road Safety Management,. Established by an Act of Parliament (Act 567 in 1999). MISSION To promote best road safety practices for all categories of road users. CORPORATE VISION A reputable organization with a highly motivated staff committed to reducing Ghana s road traffic crash fatality rate to a single digit. 5

6 ABOUT The NRSC KEY RESPONSIBILITIES To undertake nation-wide road safety planning, education, advocacy and resource mobilization for interventions. To encourage the development of road safety education as part of the curriculum and the training of teachers in road safety Set standards for road safety equipment and ensure their compliance Co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate road safety activities, programmes and strategies KEY RESPONSIBILITIES To co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate road safety activities, programmes and strategies. To undertake research into road safety. To develop and maintain a comprehensive road traffic crash database and publish reports related to road safety Establish with the road authorities, procedures for safety audit of projects for roads construction, reconstruction of improvement 6

7 ABOUT The NRSC Framework for Road Safety Administration and Management 7

8 Background of the GWB Highway 14.1 km(8.7miles) Motorway forms part of the N1 highway linking Aflao Border(East) to Elubo Border(West). Starts from Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to Mallam Junction. Project was funded by the US Government s Millennium Challenge Corporation. The total project cost $175 M.

9 Background of the GWB Highway

10 Background of the GWB Highway Originally 2 lane single carriage way Primary objectives for construction of the GWB highway were to (1) address the bottleneck on potions of the stretch which cause delay of exports and imports especially at Mallam Jn where at peak hrs. one could spend between 1-3 hrs. (2) improve volume capacity ratio of road which was about 0.85 at peak period since there was high usage of the road.

11 Background of the GWB Highway The highway provides access to both the seaport of Tema and Kotoka International Airport. Phase I includes; 2 Interchanges, 6 footbridges 3 bus bays, 23 minor junctions, bicycle lanes 2 transport terminals

12 Background of the Highway The Highway was officially opened to motorists on 15 th February George Walker Bush Highway is a three lane dual carriage with 2 No. two lane service roads Typical road users include a mix of cars, passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, trailers, pedestrians and cyclists

13 Background of the Highway Some Features of the Highway Footbridges

14 Background of the Highway Some Features of the Highway Bus bays

15 Background of the Highway Some Features of the Highway Fenced Median with Street Lighting

16 Background of the Highway Some Features of the Highway Separated service lanes Signalized Pedestrian crossings

17 Background of the Highway Some Features of the Highway Segregated carriageway and pedestrian walkways

18 Economic Benefits Serves as a regional route, as part of the International Trans- West Africa Highway as well as a principal distributor for the city of Accra. Serves as a very significant export link to Kotoka International Airport, Tema and Takoradi Harbours. The road traverses through over 10-densely populated urban areas in two regions Greater Accra and Central Regions. Socio-economic activities are soaring with the rapid development of commercial, residential and social amenities along the route.

19 The Road Safety Challenge Crash Prone Roads in Ghana Road Name Aflao Accra Cape Coast Takoradi Elubo Accra Kumasi Techiman Kintampo Tamale Navrongo Kumasi Sunyani Kumasi Obuasi Sunyani Techiman Tema Asikuma Asikuma - Ho 19 19

20 The Road Safety Challenge As at February 2013, one year after the road was opened, there have been 339 crashes 43 fatalities 248 injuries 93 pedestrian knockdowns Speeding is the main contributory factor to the crashes. Spot Speed Studies 85 th percentile speed shows a minimum of km/hr, depicting high operating speed on the corridor. Street lights not working on certain portions of the road

21 The Road Safety Challenge Pedestrians don t use the provided foot bridges to cross Footbridges do not cater for the disabled (no ramps)

22 The Road Safety Challenge Regular disregard for pelican crossing signs (Jaywalking) Pelican lights are not properly synchronized with main traffic lights

23 The Road Safety Challenge Pedestrians compete with vehicles to cross the road

24 The Road Safety Challenge okada operators have turned some portions of the intersection into loading bay Location of a market on the walkway (no space for pedestrians)

25 The Road Safety Challenge Motorists do not use the provided bus bays Improper location of taxi stations obstructs the traffic flow

26 The Road Safety Challenge ROLE PLAYED BY THE NRSC Served on the SAFETY COMMITTEE Part of ROAD SAFETY AUDIT TEAM

27 What is Being Done TASK FORCE OPERATIONS 27

28 What is Being Done 28

29 What is Being Done 29

30 School Education

31 What is Being Done Crossing Aids for School Children 31

32 What is Being Done Road Safety Management Services Limited 32

33 What is Being Done IMPROVING CONSPICUITY/VISIBILITY: Enhancing recognition of parked and slow moving vehicles from a distance (150m minimum and up to 1,000m) 33

34 What is Being Done Enforcement Speed Limiters Spot Fines 34

35 What is Being Done Operational Standards and Road Safety Officer concept 35

36 CONCLUSION The GWB Highway has significantly contributed to free movement of goods and services in the country and the sub-region Transport costs have relatively reduced as a result of reduction in travel time During peak period time required to cross road section which initially was bottleneck is mins Improvement in volume capacity ratio of the road There are other socio-economic benefits

37 CONCLUSION But this comes with some safety implications! Recommendations at all stages of Road Safety Auditing should be implemented Need to complete fencing of the median and channelling of pedestrians to appropriate crossing points by use of guard rails Remarking the road with higher standard retro-reflective materials Providing user-friendly footbridges - ramps

38 CONCLUSION Construction of temporary steel footbridges at all signalised intersections to eradicate at grade crossing for pedestrians Solar backup battery for all traffic lights Review signal timing to eliminate conflict between pedestrians and left turn traffic movement Dropping of kerbs at all pedestrian crossing points

39 CONCLUSION Street lights should be solar paneled in the long term but presently Local Authority should replace bulbs Continue with Road Safety Education along the corridor for all categories of road users Enforcement of laws on speeding, jaywalking, in appropriate parking, hawking on pedestrian walkways, motor cycles etc Phase 2 of project should address all road safety issues

Thank you Website: www.nrsc.gov.gh Email: info@nrsc.gov.gh Facebook: www.facebook.

40 Thank you Website: Facebook: Road Safety Commission, Ghana Twitter: Road Safety Tel:

PEDESTRIAN PLANNING AND DESIGN MARK BRUSSEL

PEDESTRIAN PLANNING AND DESIGN MARK BRUSSEL CONTENT OF LECTURE a) Walking as a transport mode b) Walking in Sub Sahara Africa c) Policies for pedestrians d) Pedestrian characteristics e) Network planning