Transportation from Dili to Los Palos - Report Example

Running head: Transportation from Dili to Los Palos, Timor-Leste [Name] [Professor Name] [Course] [Date] Contents Abstract 3 Transportation from Dili to Los Palos 4 Executive Summary 4 Problem Statement 4 Aim of the Report 5 Requirements and Analysis 6 Concept Design Proposed 7 Trade-off Analysis 8 Relating concept design to requirements 9 Implementation Plan 11 Environmental Impact and Sustainability Issues 11 Cost Benefit Analysis 12 Conclusion 12 References 13 Abstract The key function of any national transportation system is to assist in the mobility of people and commodities within and through particular areas by all modes of transport. The road network should at the baseline level link all other modes of transportation system for the movement of people and commodities by transit, commercial or private vehicles, rail service, air and water. Within the confines of this report, as in the case of transportation from Dili to Los Palos in Timor-Leste, it is understood that the infrastructure network and mobility are both influenced by land use, policy and economy. This report will focus on the road network connecting Dili and Los Palos (Engineer Without Borders, 2013). Transportation from Dili to Los Palos Executive Summary Los Palos city, which is the capital of Lautem and which is invariably called Lospalos, is about 154 miles from Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. The transportation network connecting the two cities can be perceived as either static or dynamic. With regard to dynamic problem, its key feature includes restricted access to dynamic information on the major issues (Simpson and Sun, 2002). For instance, concerning vehicle routing problem, though the government may be aware of the transportation demand, it may plan routes based on this information. However, with time the demands may increase and there may be more information thus changing the realm of the problem. With this, any other nature of problem that is not linked to information is static transportation problem (Angus, 2005). Problem Statement Overall, these two cities face extensive transportation problems. Although the Dili’s international port and airport operate acceptably, the domestic networks face major challenges. The road network between the two regions is generally poor condition, just in the same way the country’s 6000-klometre road network is. The country’s rugged terrains, occasional flooding and geology add to the cost of road maintenance. This has contributed to the poor road network conditions. Even as the country has extensive road network all the way from Dili to Los Palos, they are generally of poor standards with narrow pavements of between 4.5 and 5.5 meters, thus vehicles have to move off the pavement to allow other vehicles to pass (World Bank, 2013). The road network also has poor horizontal and vertical alignments thus limit the speed of vehicles and sight of distance. The poor drainage system in Dili and Los Palos also aggravates the damage of the roads (Angus, 2005). The extensive road network between the two cities enables reasonably good penetration, with villages between the two places situated at an average of 0.7 kilometers (World Bank, 2013). However, the extensive network has been cited to contribute significantly to the high cost for the government to maintain sustainably, even as the cost is aggravated by the continual cots of emergency repairs caused by the extensive erosions due to the country’s weather and geology (Sandlund et al, 2001). In addition, the low number of road users in the country, and particularly from Dili to Los Palos has limited the potential for cost recovery. Aim of the Report The aim of this report is to offer a short-term solution to alleviate the problems associated with the road network from Dili to Los Palos. The report is founded on the key policy issues, including: Proposing reliable transport to support socio-economic development between Dili and Los Palos. Integrating transport to ensure greater social integrations and efficiencies. Ensuring a sustainable environment. Using the existing transport resources maximally. Maintenance of the available transport system to ensure they are reliable. Requirements and Analysis The mobility of people and commodities between Dili and Los Palos predominantly consists of trips for commuting for the purposes of trade, work-related reasons, recreation and for administrative purposes. These varied types of transport have varied attributes although they utilize the same national transportation system. Generally, the limited alternatives for transportation restrict individuals to depend on automobile (Simpson and Sun, 2002). To identify the challenges and opportunities for transportation, two-pronged approaches can be applied for this specific scenario. First, the dynamic problems are reviewed followed by the static problems. Regarding the dynamic problem, it is understood that increased population and employment opportunities between the two cities, as per the growth plan, have increased pressure on transit between the two areas. While the use of automobile will remain the major mode of transport, the dilapidated roads have delayed the amount of time for travelling between the two areas. It is expected that addition trips would result by 2030. With regard to the static problems, it is critical to understand that the flooding, the rugged terrains and the loose soils have constantly contributed to the dilapidation of the roads, creating potholes and ditches that make transportation difficult. For instance, the June 2001 floods washed away a bridge on the road network connecting Dili and Los Palos making transportation difficult. The bridge took some time to repair due to financial constraints, thus disconnecting the two cities (Sandlund, 2001). Transportation will hence continue to play an important role within the two cities. Since a large majority of the residents cannot afford to buy their own vehicles, public transport by road has become predominant. However, this mode of transport is not reliable and most sections of the road infrastructure from Dili to Los Palos are in need of maintenance. Concept Design Proposed   Improving or rehabilitating transportation network and developing the capacity of the residents between Dili and Los Palos can reduce poverty and increase social and economic development in Timor-Leste. This is because in the country, and like any other developing world, poor transportation infrastructure substantially inhibits socio-economic development and limits access to important amenities and markets. This is bearing in mind that the mobility of people and commodities between Dili and Los Palos predominantly consists of trips for commuting for the purposes of trade, work-related reasons, recreation and for administrative purposes. To address the aforementioned problems, five bridges, should either be constructed or rehabilitated in the eastern region of the country. The quality of the bridges should be weather proof to overcome effects of flooding and erosion. During this process, since the economies of the residents have to be improved, labour-intensive methods should be used to increase the employment opportunities for semi-skilled and unskilled laborers for resident living near the sites of the projects. In addition, the government should encourage the residents, who are mostly farmers, to invest in agriculture and strive for markets in the urban areas. This is likely to increase the number of road users in the country, and particularly from Dili to Los Palos, thus increasing the potential for cost recovery. This is because poor transportation infrastructure from Dili to Los Palos has limited the movement of people and commodities between the two areas, thus radically reducing the opportunities for trade and exacerbating poverty levels. Some studies have concluded that the residents are in need of alternative design solutions to overcome the underlying challenges. These include providing a cheaper alternative to petrol, providing a cheap form of transportation and providing programs to train mechanics. Trade-off Analysis The analysis in the previous sections supported by background reports shows that there are four major problems associated with transportation from Dili to Los Palos. On the issue of increased travel time due to poor road conditions, such as the existence of potholes and ditches, poor standards of roads and size of pavements and bad weather, the government should invest in constructing more long-lasting roads or coming up with a rail system so supplement the road networks. Subsidizing the air transport to ensure cheaper flights can also play as a factor in reducing the occurrences of increased travel time. The problems associated with maintenance of are related to the large potholes found on the roads as well as the tendency of roads to submerge during the rainy seasons, thus hindering transportation to Los Palos. Generally, the residents lack access to alternative powered modes of transport and rely significantly on horses to get around (Engineer Without Borders, 2013). Additionally, there are few multi-modal transport networks between Dili and Los Palos. This means that there are inadequate connections which increase pressures on the road network leading to dilapidated roads, which are worsened by the weather conditions and the geology between the two areas. Further, this implies that there is no alternative route if there are major delays on the roads or when the bridges breakdown. More modes of transport should be initiated, even as there is air transport between Dili and Los Palos; it is widely regarded as expensive since most of the residents cannot afford them. Alternatively, a railway system can be provided to offer cheap and weatherproof transport. Of particular interest is that rail inter-modal transportation can be very essential for moving bulk agricultural products as well as forest products, as the residents are mostly involved in agriculture. Overall, construction of better roads, cheaper air flights, frequent road maintenance and establishing more intermodal transport such as railway system should be established. Relating concept design to requirements In designing a solution to the transportation problem between Dili and Los Palos, several issues can be identified and considered as priority. These include: The cost of the solution, including consideration of the maintenance cost, purchasing tools, possible government subsidies and the period of payback. The costs of the solution against the benefits should as well be considered. In this case, it is important to consider whether the solution will appeal to the residents of Timor-Leste and whether the government can give the solution a consideration as worth investing into. The suitability of the solution to the socio-economic as well as the physical environment of Dili and Los Palos should as well be considered. The solution should also be reliable, with regard to the availability of fuel and ease of mechanical intervention, in case of breakdown. With regard to the above requirements, it can be viewed that the cost of constructing better roads or a railway system would be expensive for the government to afford. In addition, it will take a lot of payback time. Although the solutions are likely to appeal to the residents, the government would be reluctant in endorsing the solution in its short-term plans. The railway transport my further be hindered by the fact that the rugged Timor-Leste terrains, as they are mostly suitable for plain lands. However, proper road maintenance should be put into consideration as it is generally affordable. This report proposes that the government should establish local government initiatives aimed at maintenance of the roads. Offering subsides for cheaper fights is however affordable for the government and reliable in case of poor and inaccessible road networks. Aside from being generally affordable, its payback period is short, thus the cost of the solution varies insignificantly from the cost of solution. The solution is also appropriate for the physical environment of Dili and Los Palos, where erosions are persistent (UNDP, UN DESA and Timor-Leste Government, 2007). Overall, frequent road maintenance and offering subsides for cheaper flights appear as the most appropriate solutions compared to building alternative and better roads as well as intermodal rail system. Implementation Plan Implementing the solutions proposed by this report, subsiding air flights and strategic maintenance of the roads will be entirely a consultative process, which is wide-scoped and extensive. With regard to subsidizing the air flights, it will require dialogues with the airplane companies that operate in the country while strategic road maintenance will require consultation with the municipal authorities. Others to be included in the consultation include intelligent transport system agencies, business organizations and the environmental groups. This will provide better insight into the transport needs, how to meet the expenses and setting out a time plan for the implementation. This report proposes a 5-year program of works that reflects the transportation priority requirements of Dili and Los Palos. The innovative plan will ensure there is a coordinated planning of road network, there is improved road delivery efficient and lastly, there is an enhanced road stewardship practice (Asian Development Bank, 2010). Environmental Impact and Sustainability Issues Bearing in mind that the road network from Dili to Las Polos is generally flanked by forests, the maintenance and use of these roads can have a significant impact on the geomorphic processes as well as influence the patterns of erosion. This is believed to occur given the geomorphic difference between Dili and Los Palos. For instance, proper road maintenance may include fortifying the terrain slopes to reduce soil erosion sensitivity. This in effect protects the environment. The frequent road maintenance may as well increase the sediment or soli composition in the forested areas. Road construction and maintenance will however clear vegetation thus leading the top soil vulnerable to surface erosion (Prasad, 2007). Cost Benefit Analysis Since the government is interested in obtaining value for money from investing in the road network, a cost benefit analysis will be used. The actual cost of the road repairs and maintenance will have to be compared with the estimated cost resulting from appraisal. The cost of the roads when it was completed will also be compared with the appraisal estimate. Assuming that the total projected cost of maintenance is expected to cover around $6 million dollars, while the cost of the roads during completion was about $24 million dollars and the estimated cost resulting from the road use in the five year plan is $7 million dollars, then the government would realize benefits from the maintenance estimated at $1 million (Asian Development Bank, 2010). Conclusion In conclusion, this report suggests that the poor road transport infrastructure from Dili to Los Palos is a major factor that contributes to the socio-economic development and limited access to important amenities and markets. The report concludes that proper and frequent road maintenance is most preferable, achievable and affordable for the government in its short-term goals, specifically five years. References Angus, D. (2005, May 16). Problems in Transport and Logistics. Melbourne: Swinburn University. Retrieved from: http://itee.uq.edu.au/~uqdangus/Problems%20in%20Transportation%20-%20Technical%20Report%20%28Draft%29.pdfity Asian Development Bank. (2010). Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste: Emergency Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, Phases 1 and 2.Retrieved: http://www.oecd.org/countries/timor-leste/47173557.pdf Engineers Without Borders. (2013, Jan 1). Plan Timor Leste EWB Challenge: Project Design Brief. North Melbourne: EWB Prasad, A. (2007) A Tool to Analyze Environmental Impacts of Roads on Forest Watersheds. Utah: Utah State University. Retrieved from: http://www.fs.fed.us/GRAIP/downloads/pubs/PrasadThesis3_13_07.pdf Sandlund, O, Bryceson I, Carvalho, D, da Silva, J & Silve, M. (2001 Feb). Assessing Environmental Needs and Priorities in East Timor: issues and Priorities. Retrieved http://www.unpei.org/PDF/TimorLeste-environmental-needs-report.pdf Simpson, R & Sun, W. (2002). Profile of Lautem District. Retrieved http://www.estatal.gov.tl/Documents/District%20Development%20Plans%20and%20Profiles/Lautem/Lautem%20District%20Profile_eng.pdf UNDP, UN DESA & Timor-Leste Government. (2007 Feb). Sustainable Development in Timor-Leste. Retrieved from: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/978timor.pdf World Bank.(2013). Transport in Timor-Leste. Retrieved from http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/EASTASIAPACIFICEXT/EXTEAPREGTOPTRANSPORT/0,,contentMDK:20767666~menuPK:2069366~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:574066,00.html Read More