experience with user-friendly environmental evaluation software in the city of Khon Kaen, Thailand, The

Road & Transport Research, Jun 2001 by Woolley, J, Klungboonkrong, P

Abstract

The paper describes the use of two user-friendly environmental evaluation software packages developed at the Transport Systems Centre, at the University of South Australia, and aspects of their application in the Asian context in the city of Khon Kaen, Thailand. The issues of environmental modelling in regional Asian cities and the differences between traditional 'Westem' models and problems encountered in the Asian environment are addressed. One of the models, SIMESEPT, is used to screen for potential problem areas within the Khon Kaen road network. This is achieved using the Knowledge-Based Expert System (KBES) component of the SIMESEPT package. The other model, NetNoise, is used to predict the distribution of noise originating from the road traffic network of the city and to analyse these problem areas. NetNoise also provides some benefit to the user through its use as an educational tool and assists in exploring the various options available for traffic management in the city regardingnoise amelioration. The unique distinctions between NetNoise and SIMESEPT willbe described in detail and the potential factors contributing to the problematic areas in the Khon Kaen road network are also discussed. The outputs from the two packages canbe used to prioritise detailed investigation or traffic-calming schemes to the problematic areas in the road network. The MapInfo Geographical Information System (GIS) package has been used to integrate, store, manage, analyse, and display all geographical data, their associated attributes, as well as the analysed results derived from both NetNoise and SIMESEPT. GIS is an ideal tool for displaying the spatial distribution of traffic noise in relation to the road network of concern.NetNoise and SIMESEPT coupled with MapInfo can provide anew way of thinking about and a new means of analysis for handling traditional environmental problems.

Refereed Paper

This paper has been critically reviewed by at least two recognised experts in the field. Originally submitted: October 2000

INTRODUCTION

The use of computer software for environmental modelling has seen extensive improvements of late with the aid of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Many of these models have been created in the Western World based on models developed largely in Europe and North America.

This paper looks at two such model software packages and their application to the Asian city of Khon Kaen.

Khon Kaen is located in the central north-eastern region of Thailand (see Figure 1) and in 1994 had a population of approximately 1.7 million, of which 172 000 live in the Muang district. The agricultural sector's share in the Gross Provincial Product (GPP) has been steadily declining to the retailing, wholesaling, industrial, commercial and services sectors. Khon Kaen iscurrently one of the fastest growing cities in the Northeast due to its geographical location and government promotion of the city as a gateway to Indochina. Khon Kaen has been designated a regional institutional centre and is one of the nine main industrial cities in the country (KKU, 1997).

In 1995, there were 293 135 registered vehicles in Khon Kaen and this number was increasing with an average annual growth rate of 18%. Of this, motorcycles constitute 73 per cent of registrations followed by passenger cars at 20%. As is common in many Asian cities, motorcycles feature prominently in the composition of the traffic. Passenger cars and motorcycles make up 43% of the on-road traffic, while buses and heavy trucks constitute 4% and 3%, respectively. The peak hourly traffic volume is approximately 7.5% of the average daily traffic (ADT), and average speeds are 18 km/h within the central business district (CBD) and 35 km/h within the inner suburbs (KKU and TC 1996). Figure 2 shows a typical street situation in Khon Kaen.

The economic growth, which in turn has fed the growth of motorised traffic has led to the inevitable problems associated with road traffic in built-up areas. Noise and air emissions, along with difficulty of access and pedestrian safety, have become increasing problems as is so commonly the case with such scenarios. An opportunity therefore existed for the authors to conduct some exploratory investigations into the impact of traffic in Khon Kaen city.

DATA COLLECTION AND REPRESENTATION OF THE KHON KAEN CITY ROAD NETWORK

Previous studies

Recently, a study and data inventory of the current traffic and transportation conditions in the Khon Kaen city were conducted by the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with the TransConsult Company (KKU and TC, 1996). This study was commissioned by the Thai Government and provides comprehensive data in terms of the physical and landuse characteristics of the Khon Kaen road network (e.g. number of lanes, kerb-to-kerb road width, road class, adjacent land-use type, etc.) as well as some traffic-related data (e.g. peak hourly traffic flows (by vehicle classes)). Additional data were collected in the field in July 1997.