APMRC to submit revised Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project

Visakhapatnam, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant move to enhance urban transport infrastructure, the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRC) is set to update the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Visakhapatnam. This update comes at the request of the Union government and is crucial for the successful implementation of the proposed metro rail project. The original CMP, developed in 2018, has a validity of five years, making it imperative to revise it to reflect the city’s evolving traffic patterns, mobility needs, and infrastructural demands.

The revision of the CMP is not only essential for the metro rail initiative but also for the broader public transportation network in Visakhapatnam. The city has witnessed significant changes in traffic volumes and transportation requirements since the initial plan was established. Key components of the updated plan will address public transportation services, including bus routes, feeder services for the metro, road network expansions, and the identification of new alignments.

Goals for Public Transport

A primary objective of the updated CMP is to increase the share of public transport from the current 40% to between 50% and 55%. To achieve this ambitious target, it is vital to address critical gaps in the existing road network. This includes completing the Simhachalam Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor, connecting it to NH-16, and enhancing connectivity through key routes such as NAD, Lankelapalem, Sontyam-Anandapuram, Peda Narava, Gangavaram-Tallapalem, and the Gajuwaka bypass.

Traffic Insights and Challenges

Previous studies have revealed that the highest traffic flow in Visakhapatnam occurs at the NAD junction, which experiences an astonishing 3.57 lakh passenger car units per day. During peak hours, key intersections can account for 8-10% of total daily traffic. For example, at Birla Junction on the national highway, peak traffic between 5 PM and 6 PM constitutes 10.1% of the daily total, while the YSR Stadium near PM Palem sees a peak from 6 PM to 7 PM, accounting for 9.6%.

Enhancing Service Levels

According to a source from the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation, the updated CMP will be crucial for the seamless planning and execution of the metro rail project over the next five years. The previous CMP's service level benchmarking categorized the public transport system into four levels of service (LoS), with LoS 1 indicating the highest performance and LoS 4 the lowest.

Despite the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) achieving a 100% presence of organized public transport, the availability of services per 1,000 residents is only 0.29, resulting in a LoS of 2. Average bus waiting times range from 5 to 10 minutes (LoS 3), and public transport coverage spans 250 km across a city area of 643 sq km, also yielding a LoS of 3.

Pedestrian infrastructure is lacking, scoring a LoS of 2, with only 23% of the surveyed network featuring paved footpaths. Many intersections do not meet pedestrian wait time standards, and non-motorized transport facilities are minimal, receiving a LoS of 4. The application of intelligent transport systems remains low, with only 8.84% traffic surveillance (LoS 4) and a lack of synchronized signals. Travel speeds for personal vehicles average 28 km/h, while public transport averages 18 km/h, both indicating a LoS of 2.

Moving Forward

As APMRC embarks on this important update to the Comprehensive Mobility Plan, the focus will be on creating a more efficient and integrated urban transport system that meets the needs of Visakhapatnam's growing population. The revised plan aims to foster sustainable mobility solutions that enhance the quality of life for residents and support the city’s continued development.

For further updates on the CMP and the metro rail project, stay tuned as Visakhapatnam prepares for a transformative shift in its transportation landscape.