The Impact of Road Rehabilitation Projects on Walkability, Road Safety and Local Business A Case Study in Old Kottawa-Pannipitiya Road of Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper presents the impact of road rehabilitation projects on walkability, road safety and local businesses following improvements to a 1.9 km, C grade, feeder road – Old Kottawa Pannipitiya road located in the Colombo district, Western Province of Sri Lanka. Data were collected through four surveys: (i) Site Reconnaissance, (ii) Interview survey with Pedestrians, households, motorists (iii) Interview survey with local businessmen (iv) Road safety survey and analyzed in a qualitative approach. Results show that the rehabilitation work has led to a relative improvement of the aesthetic appearance and character of the local area considerably whilst the investment targeted at off carriageway elements of the road has been minimum. With respect to walkability, the pedestrian comfort and improvement to environmental condition shown to be achieved at a lower level. Further the safety criterion apply with respect to road side drains, road side areas, providing bus bays, ensuring safety and comfort of pedestrians demonstrated to be materialized less. Road safety levels are established impaired in terms of placing and aligning traffic signage, poor maintenance and management. Finally the commercial land use on either side of the road being expanded denotes an increase of local businesses after the rehabilitation. Nonetheless, as claimed by the local businessmen the improvement of business income levels after the rehabilitation seemed far less achieved. Thus policy implications should be focused on above drawbacks to achieve the maximum benefits of road rehabilitation projects.