The guidelines for transport infrastructure development are based on the principles of security, inter-modality, application of modern technologies, complimentary use of all forms of traffic and the rational use of available capacities and resources in the country for the benefit of all citizens. When considering the importance of transport in any country, three dominant aspects are considered, including quality of life, overall economic development, and environmental impact. This report examines the situation of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand – known for facing some challenges regarding the transport infrastructure. For that purpose, two different methods for improving the transport infrastructure quality are proposed. Finally, the recommendations are assessed regarding economic and environmental viability and impact.
2. Background
Bangkok has a population of 19 million, and on top of that is one of the most visited cities in the world, welcoming more than 20 million visitors a year. Thailand is a member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) which is a political, economic and cultural organization of ten Asian countries. The country is also privileged by its strategic geographical position.
The capital of Thailand has a somewhat developed transportation network. Among these are taxis, three-wheeled motor scooters, motor-bike taxis, buses, boats and subways (BTS – Skytrain and MRT - underground). Currently, there are five different transport networks:
ï Primary roads: which mainly include highways;
ï Secondary roads: rural and local roads;
ï Sea lanes: which allow boats access to rivers, canals, and the coast;
ï Railways: There are two, single-track and double-track;
ï Airports: domestic and international flights, Bangkok Airways, and navy airport;
The existing transport network is seen in table 1 in the appendix.
With a growing population and is the crossroad for several countries in Southeast Asia, the transportation system seems to be insufficient. The main problems of a congested city like Bangkok are the noise, the accidents, the air pollution and the denaturalization of the landscape.
3. Options
Option 1: Intercity Rail Networks Development
- Railway network
Thailand's railway has a combined length of 4,043 km. The average speed of its passenger trains is 60km/hr as compared with 39 km/hr for freight trains. The slower rate for freight trains is because most of them travel on single track lines. Over the next years, these lines can be developed into double or triple track line which will enable the trains to travel at 100-110 km/hr. The aims of the project are to reduce intercity travel by private car from 59% to 40%.
In table 2 you can see the benefits of this project.
- High-Speed Rail
High-speed rail on Bangkok-Chiang Mai route should be further developed
Option 2: Improving Public Transport Networks " Services
- Expansion of MRT (metro) and BTS (Skytrain)
The MRT has the blue and the violet lines. The purple line was part of the project for the 2015-2020 period. This has greatly facilitated the movement of residents through 16 new stations. 3 other lines are planned, the pink, yellow and orange line (figure 1). At the BTS, the project proposes an extension of the Sukhumvit to the south and adding 9 new stations. The northward extension can be planned as well.
- Procurement of buses and depots
Bangkok can procure 500 natural gas - powered buses. Further, 35 electric and 2500 hybrid buses should be bought.
4. Requirements
4.1. Cost
Cost is always an issue regarding project planning, developing and execution. Thailand has made remarkable progress in social and economic development. The direct contribution of Travel " Tourism to GDP was THB1,292.5 bn (USD 36.7bn), 9.2% of total GDP in 2016 and is forecast to rise by 9.3% in 2017, and to rise by 6.7% pa, from 2017-2027, to THB2,708.0 bn (USD76.9bn), 14.3% of total GDP in 2027 (World Travel " Tourism Council, 2017) This means that Thailand, including Bangkok, would benefit tremendously from more develop transport infrastructure, especially intercity which would enable faster and more efficient movement of people and goods.
Additionally, although Thailand has a low unemployment rate (1%) (according to Statista, 2017), the expansion of the transport sector would lead to job openings. The budget for transport infrastructure represents only 5% of the total budget of the country between 2003 and 2013.
4.2. Environment
Thailand d economic growth has caused numerous environmental issues. Bangkok City pollutions mainly from transportation, industry and electricity generation. They emit a lot hydrocarbon, NO2, and SO2 to the atmosphere. Car Registrations in Thailand averaged 22134.62 from 1989 until 2018 (Trading Economics, 2018), meaning that this is imposing a serious pollution problem. Thailand has laid out its long-term economic goals in its 20-Year National Strategy (2017 – 2036) for attaining developed country status through broad reforms. with. Bangkok should seriously orient towards reducing emissions and toxic gases and reducing the water pollution. Pollution is also directly linked to worsening of health and wellbeing.
5. Comparison
5.1. Economic factors
The main features of railway traffic are great transport power - enables massive transport of passengers and cargo; speed - modernization of existing lines ranges from 200 to 300 km/h; economical - rail is a relatively inexpensive means of transport; comfort - the comfort provided by a long-distance rail cannot be compared to other modes of transport. However, railways are made up of complex mechanical and electrical systems and there are hundreds of thousands of moving parts. The different economic impacts that the railway contribution has made are, therefore, many and reflect the need to increase the number of railway network ownership. The railway equipment must be kept in good working order and regular maintenance. In these regards, rail maintenance is expensive.
Public city passenger transport is an important factor in the functioning of the city. It seems that the bus transport is a cheaper variant to developing a rail and metro network. A 2009 University of Texas meta-study (Zheng 2009), “Bus Versus Rail: Meta-Analysis of Cost Characteristics, Carrying Capacities and Land Use Impacts,” looks at the cost, operational characteristics, and land-use impacts of different mass-transit technologies. In concluding, the author concludes that, on average, “BRT (bus rapid transit) can outperform LRT (light rail transit) in providing a moderate to high level of service capacity at a moderate level of capital and operating costs in neighborhoods with moderate population and job densities.” While MRT (metro rail transit) are the most expensive to build, they can achieve over five times the capacity of BRT or LRT and are associated with the largest positive impact on property values near stations. Additionally, for every dollar invested in public transportation, approximately $4 in economic returns are generated, and for every $1 billion in investments in the sector, 50,000 jobs are created and supported. According to APTA (2017), an investment of $10 million in public transportation generates about $32 million in increased business sales, and residential property values for homes located near public transit with high-frequency service "performed 42% better on average." In fact, it has been stated that the hidden economic value of public transit could be up to $1.8 billion per year per city, which is a considerable amount of capital.
5.2. Environmental factors
Rail transport can be said to offer tailor-made solutions to deal with the challenges of mobility and transportation and significantly less affect the climate and the environment. According to the International Railroad Union (UIC) (2012), the railways are one of the most effective and environmentally friendly ways of people and goods. The railway sector has agreed to reduce the emission of harmful gases by 30% by 2020, as shown in the first graph. As shown in the second graph, according to data from 2005, 72% of carbon dioxide emissions have been discharged into the EU by road traffic. By contrast, rail transport accounts for only 1.6% of carbon dioxide emissions and transport 6% of all passengers and 10.3% of all cargo. This is a clear indication that the railroad can translate many passengers, while less harmful to the environment. In addition, around 80% of the European Railcar fleet uses electricity, which means that most trains can be diverted to pure electricity when it becomes available. Public transportation also reduces air pollution. Buses emit 20% less carbon monoxide, 10% as much hydrocarbons, and 75% as much nitrogen oxides per passenger mile than an automobile with a single occupant.
It is known that bus systems are and will remain the backbone of public transport in Chinese cities (Shomik " Salzberg, 2012Guangzhou recently opened the highest-volume BRT system in China, carrying as many as 800,000 daily passengers. The opening also introduced a lot of efficiency in the sector. Although Beijing has struggled to adopt strong transport demand management (TDM) strategies, the city is now looking to expand its TDM policies to combat growing car ownership. As China's GDP has grown, so has the number of cars on its roads. From 2008 to 2010, the country's vehicle ownership almost doubled, from 38 vehicles to 58 per 1,000 people, and is set to hit 269 vehicles by 2030. In Beijing, the introduction of TDM policies came at the same time as expanded and improved transit services so that new alternatives are provided when driving is not an attractive option.
6. Conclusion
Adequate functioning and development of the transport sector are of great importance for the economic activity. The concept of sustainable development implies such a development that is in line with today's needs without putting them at risk of meeting the needs of future generations. Additionally, modern transportation should be economical. There is also need for urgent measures to improve the transport quality, reduce environmental impacts and achieve better travelers experience overall. There should be needing to improve the intercity rail network and enhancement public transportation. The case of China (Beijing) was examined as a case study – Beijing also struggled with a traffic system dominated by private car owners but succeeded in promoting the public transport as a more efficient transport mean.
7. Recommendations
In a modern, efficient and fully developed transport system, public transport and rail should function as an inseparable unit, complementing each other to provide fast, safe, cheap and environmentally friendly transport network. However, the limited resources and the urgency for taking certain measures for improvement impose choosing one option to be selected over the other. The previous analysis show benefits and advantages of both options. However, as Bangkok shows incapability and ineffectiveness in intercity transit of passengers and good, it should probably focus on developing the public transport at first, and then orient towards developing the rail network to provide better intercity transit.
8. References
APTA (2017). Transit Savings Report, Orlando: APTA.
International Union of Railways (UIC) (2012). Railways and Sustainable Development, Paris: International Union of Railways.
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, Office of the Prime Minister (2017). 20 -Year National Strategy (2017 – 2036), Bangkok: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board.
Ping, X. (2015). Environmental Problems and Green Lifestyles in Thailand, Nagoya: Nanzan University.
Shomik, M. " Salzberg, A. (2012). Improving Public Transport in Chinese Cities: Elements of an Action Plan, in Sustainable Low-Carbon City Development in China, by Axel Baeumler, Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, and Shomik Mehndiratta (Ed.), Washington: The World Bank.
Statista (2017). Thailand: Unemployment Rate From 2007 to 2017. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/332222/unemployment-rate-in-thailand/
(Accessed 05.2018)
Trading Economics (2018). Thailand New Car Registrations 1989-2018, Available at https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/car-registrations
(Accessed 05.2018)
World Travel " Tourism Council (2017). Economic Impact 2017 Thailand. London: World Travel " Tourism Council.
Zhang, M. (2009). Bus versus Rail: Meta-Analysis of Cost Characteristics, Carrying Capacities, and Land Use Impacts. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 87-95.
