Developing Transportation System Strategic Plan for Sustainable Community Development: Naresuan University Case Study

Abstract

Today, commuters have many options to choose from when it comes to commuting within Naresuan University – either private or public transportation, such as private car, motorcycle, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian. However, problems concerning with safety of the commuters when travelling within the university, especially conflict between commuters when walking on the sidewalk and driving private/public transportation still occur. The results of the study show that there are 4 factors affecting problem with road safety within the university; 1) compliance with traffic regulations, 2) road maintenance and installation of traffic control equipment, 3) inequality of road users/commuters, and 4) physical and infrastructure of the roads. Thus, to comply with the university’s policy for “Green and Clean University”, the university is encouraging staff and students to embrace the environmental friendly public transportation (i.e. bus) as part of sustainable community for the better future. The data obtained for this study includes literature review for related theories, commuting data, commuting simulation, and commuting strategic plans. The results illustrate that the roads in front of the university’s hospital are the most travelled areas as the hospital attracts many commuters during the day. The study has formulated 4 strategic plans containing 18 action plans to tackle the problems, which include safety plan, the plan to optimize the efficiency of transportation network system, linkage development plan for commuting and transportation, the plan for encouraging commuters to use public transportation, and development plan to develop infrastructure system that complies with environmental friendly policy. The total budget for such strategic plan for sustainable community development is THB 52.7 million.