Global Report on Human Settlements 2007 - PoA-ISS

Small-scale hazards: The case of road traffic accidents
225
Box 9.6 The struggle for road transport safety in Nairobi, Kenya
In 2006, over 1900 people lost their lives in traffic accidents on
Kenyan roads. Only malaria and HIV/AIDS claimed more lives.
Public transport in Nairobi and Kenya, more generally, relies primarily
upon matatus, or minibuses. In October 2003, Legal Notice No
161 was issued to regulate this sector – a comprehensive notice
aimed at reducing the danger and insecurity faced by matatu users.
This was to be achieved through more effective policing of speeding;
encouraging greater professionalism and accountability to
customers by drivers and conductors; and tighter restrictions on
operating routes.
In order to achieve these important goals, specific actions
were proposed by the government, including:
• fitting speed governors to limit speed to 80 kilometres per
hour;
• fitting seat belts on all vehicles (both public, commercial and
private);
• employing drivers and conductors on a permanent basis;
Source: WHO, 2004b; Chitere and Kibual, 2006
• issuing badges to drivers and conductors;
• issuing uniforms to public service vehicle drivers and
conductors;
• indicating route details and painting yellow bands on all
matatus for the purposes of easy identification;
• re-testing drivers after every two years;
• asking every driver to prominently display their photograph.
Breaches of any regulations were to be punishable by a fine.
The success of this act in road safety terms is clear. The
number of traffic-related deaths in 2006 was lower than the
World Health Organization (WHO) estimate of average annual
mortality from traffic accidents in Kenya (3000 people). Accidents
were reduced by 73 per cent in the first six months of implementation,
compared to the same time during the previous year.
However, the act met a good amount of resistance from the matatu
lobby. Lack of political will has also threatened advances made in
road safety.
Transport
planning…models
itself on a vision of
the city that is
firmly tied to the
motor car
poor transport. Each of these three critical agendas for
sustainable development in cities has common practical
solutions. Some solutions are relatively inexpensive, such as
separating pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes from
motorized transport. Others, such as the integrated planning
of residential and employment space with good quality
public transport, require strategic planning. It is in mediumsized
cities undergoing rapid population growth where
strategic planning that can be proactive may have the most
impact with the least cost. 38
■ Promoting public and non-motorized
transportation
Transport planning too often overlooks the needs of the
majority of urban residents for whom non-motorized and
public transport may be the norm. Instead, planning models
itself on a vision of the city that is firmly tied to the motorcar.
As a result, there is a lack of investment in technological
support for pro-poor transport, as shown in the case of Delhi
(see Box 9.7). In planning decisions, the needs of pedestrians
and cyclists come second to those of motorized
transport. 39 Low- and middle-income countries seeking to
promote economic growth, trade and employment are particularly
preoccupied with investments in road infrastructure. 40
Yet, road construction and increasing capacity to
accommodate cars may not necessarily reduce the negative
externalities of motorization, such as traffic accidents and
congestion. For instance, after constructing at least 2 ring
roads, over 100 flyovers and almost 200 overpasses, the
rush-hour average speed on Beijing’s trunk roads remained
at 13 to 19 kilometres per hour. 41 Indeed, increased traffic
volume resulting from road construction may result in
additional traffic congestion. 42 Private cars, in particular,
require a great deal of space, both for their movement and
parking, when compared with other modes, especially highly
space-saving modes of public transport. 43
For a large majority of the urban poor in developing
countries, public transportation and non-motorized transport
are the only affordable means of travel. 44 However, the state
of public transportation systems in developing countries,
often poorly constructed and maintained and heavily
burdened by excessive overloading, is itself a risk factor
contributing to the rising incidence of traffic accidents. 45 For
instance, in India, buses account for 90 per cent of the transport
in cities. 46 Yet, India’s public modes of transportation
are described as being overcrowded, uncomfortable,
undependable, slow, uncoordinated, inefficient and dangerous.
Thus, improving the quality and functioning of public
transport can enhance road safety and thereby reduce traffic
accidents. Mass forms of transportation not only reduce
negative externalities of greater motorization, but are able to
deliver high-quality mass transportation at a cost that is
affordable to most municipalities, including those of lowincome
countries. One example is the bus rapid transit
system, which is growing in popularity globally compared to
other forms of mass transit (such as light and heavy rail),
especially in Asia, South America and Europe. 47 Bus rapid
transit is particularly efficient as it offers greater network
coverage, value for money, service capacity and relative flexibility.
Widely acclaimed examples include the TranMilenio
bus rapid transit system in Bogotá (Colombia) and that of
Curitibá (Brazil).
Improved public transportation may also enable the
poor to make choices that improve other aspects of their
safety and security. Often, the urban poor have to tolerate
poor housing conditions in environmentally or socially
hazardous locations due to lack of reliable, affordable and
accessible transport. 48 The ‘choice’, if there is one, is between
settlements that are hazard prone, but close to employment
and livelihood opportunities, and those that may be less
hazardous, but do not meet short-term economic needs.
…improving the
quality and
functioning of
public transport can
enhance road safety