Problem of Traffic Congestion and Correlation Analysis of Driving behaviors in Qasimabad, Hyderabad

In this study, we explore the problem of traffic congestion, its effects and related issues for Qasimabad, Hyderabad, Pakistan. The study is based on survey conducted at different sites of Qasimabad. The data was collected using a Questionnaire comprising of questions associated with traffic congestion and its causes. The data was analyzed with SPSS software. A main objective of this work is to present extent to which different driving behaviors are associated with each other. This is achieved using correlation analysis. Finally, recommendations to avoid transportation issues and traffic congestion in Qasimabad, Hyderabad based on present analysis are provided.

Jam. In smart cities, the goal of urban planning is not only to deal with the usual recurring traffic congestion -that occurs frequently and can be avoided by planning measures -but to also provide alternative ways to let the traffic flow in usual during the non-recurring traffic jams.
The latter are caused due to accidents and are random in occurrence [1]. However, the former type of traffic congestion, which occurs mainly at peak hours and because of lack of implementation of traffic rules can be managed using optimal transportation policies. Besides, the quality of traffic roads and behaviors of drivers while they drive are also important factors causing traffic congestion [2]. Qureshi, et. al. [3] advised to formulate a master plan to deal with the issue of urban transportation in Karachi and recommended a motor-free transport system, for pedestrians and bicyclers, which maintains environmental rights and social needs of public. Besides, assuring affordable fares, measures to restrict private vehicles and traffic management can also be done to tackle traffic congestion. Matin, et. al. [4], studied factors affecting economy due to traffic jam in Karachi. In order to reduce the traffic growth, it was suggested to minimize the use of private transport and promote public transport like circular rail or transit transport.
For a better guidance of land redevelopment of China, a study highlighted the need to find the reason causing traffic congestion after urban land redevelopment and provide some corresponding countermeasures [5]. The Traffic congestion factors are categorized into micro and macro level factors. The micro-level factors are related to traffic on road while the macro factors are related overall traffic need for road use. The congestion caused on microlevel (road) is driven by macro-level factors [6].
Recent works have also highlighted that there may be association between the driving behaviors and traffic congestion in a particular area. Stavrinos et. al. [7] investigated such association by examining under different road conditions and traffic congestion the behavior of young adults while they were driving. They also investigated the possible effect of using mobile phones and texting while driving. They argued that traffic congestion may also be caused due to inefficiency while driving. Xu et. al. [8], studied the situational factors and impulsiveness that may influence drivers to violate traffic rules. Hallmark et. al. [9], analyzed driver performance and behavior in traffic safety.
In Qasimabad, narrow roads, slow speeding, frequent trip times, and increasing line up of vehicles shows a major problem of traffic congestion due to which the commuters get frustrated. At worst, this situation also causes serious health problems, for inhabitants due to air and noise pollution caused by traffic congestion [10].
Due to rapid increase in population, the vehicular traffic also increases which is difficult to manage by the traffic authorities because roads have not the capacity to accommodate the current traffic so there is an immediate need to resolve the traffic related problems otherwise it can cause severe problems for the residents of Qasimabad in upcoming years.
In this work we have attempted to study traffic congestion issues of Qasimabad, Hyderabad by giving special focus to driving behaviors of drivers while they drive. Statistical analysis of different driving behaviors is carried out and strong correlation among few behaviors is noticed. It is necessary to encourage people to follow the traffic rules which will bring great change to resolve the issue of traffic congestion in cities. We show that there is an urgent need to implement the transportation policy in Qasimabad in prior because traffic congestion is ruining the available infrastructure and making the road conditions worst with the time. Also that the traffic congestion has caused drivers violate the traffic rules and vice-versa. Finally, we provide recommendations for transportation system of Qasimabad, to reduce traffic congestion.

Survey and Data Collection
In order to know the best about traffic congestion issues,  represents traffic congestion on road at Naseem Nagar.
Traffic signal and traffic police both are not available due to which commuters are not following any rule hence traffic congestion occurs whole day at this route. Table 1 shows the distribution of all 100 participants with respect to the different locations at Qasimabad, Hyderabad in the survey through questionnaire.
We focused on main areas of Qasimabad, Hyderabad while data collection. Fig. 6 shows the location map of the study area with four main locations highlighted. The road network map of Qasimabad, Hyderabad with four location highlighted is shown in Fig. 7.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In response to first question, all 100 respondents answered that they agree that there is traffic congestion in study area, Qasimabad. Table 2 shows, according to  Most of the respondents out of 100 responded that Depression/Irritation, Stress and Lungs Problems are the major health problems cause by traffic congestion. This is shown in Table 3. On the other hand Table 4    answered that the lack of pedestrian crossing while they drive is the problem and leads to traffic congestion.

Mehran
Out of 100 participants in sample, 70 people avoid shopping in congested areas due to traffic jam in main commercial areas and 19 people respond that they avoid shopping due to unavailability of parking space in main commercial areas. Rests of the respondents choose other given options. This is described in Table 6. It should be noted that 70% respondents answered, they do not have any provision of public transport in study area. This shows that people frequently use private vehicles which lead to traffic congestion. Table 7 represents that out of 100 people surveyed most of the respondents have car, motor cycle and rickshaw for their personal mode of transport, which is showing that people travel more by private vehicle instead of public transport. Table 8 represents that 30 respondents responded partial good, 30 respondents responded bad, 14 respondents answered good and 26 respondents replied worst for the condition of roads in study area. The main reasons while describing quality of roads form good to worst had been extent of encroachment, presence of solid waste and garbage and physical quality of road (paved finely or damaged, etc.). Based on these factors the respondents were instructed to select a response to Question-9.

Correlation Analysis of Different Driving behaviors
One of the main objectives of this study is to find extent to which different driving behaviors are correlated with each other. For this, we name the four driving behaviors from It should be noted that for the purpose of obtaining the best responses for Question-10 of the Questionnaire and hence to generate representative data for correlation analysis, the explanation on different driving behaviors as in Table 9 was made explicit to the respondents before acquiring their answers. The option stating "Follow     (1) 100 . 100 where i and j are not same.
Using formula from Equation (1) on each possible pair of 100 responses on driving behaviors, the obtained correlation coefficients and significance levels are reported in Table 11.
The results from Table 11 can be interpreted as follows: Case-1 Comparison of those who follow rules and drive dangerously shows weak negative correlation with only 23% confidence and with high level of significance 77%, with this result we can say that those who follow rules do not drive dangerously.
Case-2 Comparisons of those who follow rules and drive without care and attention shows negative correlation, with 95% confidence. With this result we can say that those who follow rules do not drive without care and attention.
Case-3 Comparison of those who follow rules and drive without reasonable consideration for other road users shows weak positive correlation with 31.6% confidence and with high level of significance 68.4%, with this result we can say that, those who follow rules also drive without reasonable consideration for other road users, according to sample data.

CONCLUSIONS
The problem of traffic congestion was discussed by surveying 100 people from different areas of Qasimabad, Hyderabad. Their responses to different problems associated with traffic congestion were discussed.
Finally, it was shown through correlation analysis that the different driving behaviors of drivers while they drive are also inter-dependent. The results by correlation analysis are in good agreement with the general views of public.
In recent years, there have been some efforts to enhance traffic system in Pakistan and to manage transportation issues in cities, but due to poor coordination between  (xii) Government should use new advance technology system to trace those vehicles that disobey rules.

Mehran
(xiii) Authority should formulate and enforce urban transportation laws and policies.
(xiv) Process of giving driving license should proceed strictly after taking driving and written test to prevent road accidents.
(xv) The construction of any new high risen buildings and shopping centers should be restricted at areas with existing congestion problems.
(xvi) High risen buildings and shopping centers should have more than one opening gates to prevent the burden of traffic on one side of road.