A Geographical Analysis On The Road Transportation Of Bago Township, Myanmar

1AGEOGRAPHICALANALYSISONTHEROADTRANSPORTATIONOFBAGOTOWNSHIP,MYANMARNyuntNyuntThanAbstractThisthesisontheroadtransportationofBagoTownshipisessentiallyageographicalanalysiswhichfirsttouchesuponthephysicalandhumanbasesdirectlyrelatedtotheemergenceofroadtransportnetworkandthepeoplethatmaymostlyusethefacilities.Roadtransportnetworkdevelopmentbeforeandafter1988isanalyzedbyBetaindex,AlphaIndex,GammaIndexandCyclomaticNumber,indicatingthemarkedimprovementofthenetwork.Toassesstheeffectivenessoftheroadnetworkthenumberofbuses,trucksandothertransportvehiclesservingalongthedifferentroadsectionsandthenumberofpassengersandamountoffreightsmovingalongtheseroadsarethoroughlyexaminedandpresentedinexplanatoryandcomparativeforms.Inaddition,thepositiveeffectsoftheexistingroadtransportontourism,trade,educationandhealtharealsohighlightedandtheweaknessesrelatedtoroadtransportationwithinthestudyareaarepointedoutandfeasiblesuggestionaregivenintheconclusion.IntroductionTheinteractionbetweenregionstoexploittheexistingcomplementarilythatarisesfromdifferentresourceendowmentsgivesrisetotheconstructionofroads.Themodernroadsystememergedduringthecolonialperiod.TheroadconditionundertheSocialistRegimewasratherbad.TherenovationoftheexistingroadsandtheconstructionofnewroadswerecarriedoutmostlyundertheregimesofStateLawandOrderRestorationCouncil(SLORC)andStatePeaceandDevelopmentCouncil(SPDC),bothintraurbanroadsinBagoanditsvicinityandroadslinkingwithotherpartsofthecountry.ThisstudyfocusesontheroadtransportationinBagoanditssurroundingareas,emphasizingthedevelopmentofroadnetworkwithinthestudyareaandtheefficiencyoftheexistingroadtransportationincarryingpeopleandfreightfromplacetoplacewithinandoutsidethestudyareafromthegeographicalpointofview.AimTohighlighttheimportanceofroadtransportationinthemovementofpeopleandcommodityflow.2Objectives-toexaminethetemporaldevelopmentofroadsandtransportfacilities-toanalyzetheroadnetworkofthestudyarea-toassesstheeffectivenessoftheroadtransportofpeopleandfreightMethodologyThesecondarydatafromthedepartmentconcernedandtheprimarydatafromfieldobservation,interviewsanddiscussionswithsomelocalpeopleandpassengersareanalyzedinsimplestatisticalmethodsandpresentedincause-and-effectexplanation.Thedevelopmentofroadsindifferentperiodsisworkedoutbynetworkanalysis.Graphicrepresentationmethodsareusedfortheillustrationofthedatamentionedinthetables.ChapterIPhysicalandHumanBases1.1PhysicalBases1.1.1Location,SizeandShapeBagoTownshipwhichoccupiesthesouthernpartofBagoRegionliesbetweennorthlatitudes172'and180'andbetweeneastlongitudes963'and9641'.Figure(1.1).TheNo.1Yangon-MandalayHighwayandrailroadrunthroughthetownshipwhichbranchofftowardsthesouthtoMonStateandTanintharyiRegion.Thus,Bagoisaroadandrailwayjunction.ThetownshipisboundedbyDaik-Utownshiponthenorth,WawandThanatpintownshipsontheeast,KawaandHlegu,TaikgyiandTharyarwadyTownshipsonthewest.Figure(1.2).ThearealextentofBagotownshipis2905.8sqkm(1121.66sqmls),comprising31wardstheurbanareaand68villagetractsintheruralarea.Figure(1.3)and(1.4).BagoTownshipliesfromNorthNorthtoSouthSouthEastandisabout71mileslong.Thewidestbreadthliesalong1736'Northlatitudewhichisabout30mileswide.Thecompactnessofthistownshipcanbecalculatedbuusingthefollowingformula:ide3Wheree=isthecompactnessofanareai=islongaxisoftheshape(thelongestlinebetweentwopointsontheshapesperimeter)andd=isthediameterofcircle(itlongaxisofequalarea)Moreoverdisdefinedasa2WhereaistheareaofthetownshipThenae21416.366.1121270(NtoS)03.357270=0.53Fromthiscalculation,thevalueofis0.53.Itshowsthatthetownshipsshapeislesscompact(compactnessis1).Becausetheactualshapeofthistownshipiselongatedwhichislongerfromnorthtosouth,andiscomparativelyshorterfromeasttowest.1.1.2ReliefandDrainageThereliefanddrainageofBagoTownshipplaysanimportantpartindeterminingtheroutesoftheroadsconstructed.BagoTownshipisgenerallyhillyinthenorthernone-thirdandlowandflatintheremainingtwo-third.Thelandrisesfrom250feetatthebaseofmountainspursuptoover2,000feetatthesummit.4ThewellknownmountainsinthenorthareWanat,Natsin,Seikpyu,andKantbaluandthelatteristhehighestwith2,653feetatthepeak.Themiddleandsouthernpartsrangebetween30and250feetinelevationwithverygentleslopegradient.Thismakeseasytoconstructmotorroadandrailroad.ThemaindrainageofthestudyareaistheBagoRiverwhichrisesoverthesouthernpartofBagoYomaandflowssouththroughthetownship.Itisatidalandperennialstream.Anumberoftributariesjoinitfromtheeastandwest.TherelativelylargerstreamsthatjoinfromtheeastareSinswe,Thedaw,Dawei,Kodukwe,Shwelaung,KaliandSalu,whileLetpanPyinmaandZalathtawjoinsfromthewest.Ma-U,TakupuandKyaikkaycreeksalsojointheBagoriverfromthewest.Thesecreeksareusefulaswaterwayswithsmallboatsintherainyseason,particularlyfortheshipmentsoflocalproductsevenaftertheemergenceofroadandrailtransports.Figure(1.5).1.1.3ClimateClimateelements,particularly,precipitationisrelatedtodurabilityoftheroadconstructed.Beinglocatedwithinthetropicwithlowelevationinmuchofthearea,temperaturesaregenerallyhighthroughouttheyear.TheclimatictypeofthestudyareaisTropicalMonsoon(Am)accordingtoKoppensclimaticclassification.ThemeanmonthlytemperatureishighestinAprilwith37.5C(99.5F)andthelowestinJanuarywith16C(60.80F).Thustheannualrangeoftemperatureisfairlylowwith21.5C(38.7F),owingtothemoderatingeffectoftheGulfofMottama.Themeanmonthlymaximum,minimumandmeantemperaturesarepresentedinTable(1.1)and(1.2)andFigure(1.6).TheaverageannualrainfallrecordedatBagostationis3,543.05mm(139.53inches),receivedmainlyduringtheperiodfromMaytoOctober.Theannualrainfallwashighestin1969with164.90inches(4188mm)andlowestin1957with82.10inches(2085mm).Table(1.3).OcassionalheavyandincessantrainscausetheBagoriverflood,inundatingtheroadsthatareinthelowlyingpartofthetownship,includingYangon-Bagohighway.Undersuchsituation,theroadtransportissomewhatrestricted.Floodwaternotonlyrestrictsthemovementofpeopleandvehicles,italsocausesdamagestocertainsectionsoftheroads.Theintenseheatinthedaytimeofhotdryseasonalsoaffectsthemovementofpeople,busesandtrucks.51.1.4GeologyMuchoftheunderlyingrocksoftheBagoareabelongtoIrrawaddyFormationandPegugroupofTertiaryage.TherockoutcropsofIrrawaddyFormationarefoundinthewesternpart,vicinityofMazinDam,kandawgyiLakeandwestofTagubincreekarea,consistingmainlyofreddishyellowcoloursandstone,conglomerates,siltstoneandclay.OlderalluviumrockunitsofQuaternarydeposits,suchassiltstone,sandyclay,sandstoneandclayareidentifiedinthepopulatedareaofthetownship,LateriteoccursinsomeplacesandlateriticclaysalongtheYangon-MandalayrailroadandhighwayandalsoalongtheMyoshaungroad.Thelowlyingareas,particularlythewesternpartofBagoRiverandalongothersmallstreamsarecoveredwithyoungeralluviumrockunits.ThefairlyactiveSagaingFaultpassesthroughaboutonekilometereastofshwemawdawPagodainnorth-southtrending.Exceptingtheareascovedbyyoungalluvium,thebedrocksarestrongenoughtoresisttheimpactoftheheavyweightoffreight-trucks.1.1.5SoilsandNaturalVegetationGenerallythesouthernlowlyingpartofthetownshipiscoveredwithmeadowgleysoilsderivedfromalluvium,whiletheforestsoilsaredominantinthehillynorthernpart.Asmostroadroutersfallowthelowplain,itneedsdeepfoundationtostrengththeroads.Themixeddeciduousforestswhichincludevaluableteakandotherhardwoodsthrivesintheelevatedpartofthenorth,butthesouthernlowplainareahasbeenturnedintosettlementlandandfarmland,removingnearlyallthenaturalvegetation.However,thereareplantedshadetreesalongbothsidesoftheroadsandfruittreesandfloweringplantsinsidetheresidentialcompounds.Thenaturalvegetation,infact,isalsoconcernedwithroadtransport.1.2HumanBasesHumanbasesherereferonlytosomedemographiccharacteristics.Suchpopulationscharacteristicsasnumberofpopulation,growthrate,densityanddistribution,urbanandruralpopulationsarecloselyrelatedtothedevelopmentofroadtransport,aspeopleandtheitemstheyproduceaswellasthematerialstheyneedaremostlyshiftedbyroadtransport.1.2.1PopulationGrowth6AfewdecadesaftertheconquestofLowerMyanmar,populationcensuswastakenbythecolonialgovernment.In1877,Bagohadatotalpopulationofonly4416persons.Thenumberofpopulationincreasedsteadilyinthesubsequentdecades.ThepopulationofBagoTownshipwas254,598personswhenthe1973censuswastaken,ofwhich123,586or48.54percentwereresidingintheurbansectionofthetownship.In1983,itincreasedto320,377personsofwhich150,528or46.98percentwereurbanresidents.Theaverageannualgrowthrateinthe10-yearperiodfrom1973to1983was2.58percent.ThepopulationofBagoTownshipfurtherincreasedto355,530personsin1992,including180,072(50.65%)urbanresidents.Theaverageannualgrowthrateinthe1983-1992periodnotablydecreasedto1.33percent.In2004,BagoTownshiphadatotalpopulationof464,899personsand506,214in2010whichrepresented16.48percentofthetotalpopulation(3,041,852)ofBagoRegion(East)Bago,becauseofitsadvantageouslocation,hasthegreatestnumberofpopulationamong14townshipofBagoRegion(East).Table(1.4)1.2.2PopulationDensityAsinmostothertownships,thepopulationdensityofBagohasbeenincreasingwiththeincreasingnumberofpopulation.Thedensitywas227personspersquaremilesor(88personspersquarekilometers)in1973,286persons(110personsperkm2)in1983,317personsor(122personsperkm2)in1992,414personsor(160personsperkm2)in2004and451personsor(174personsperkm2)in2010.Table(1.5).Therapidincreaseindensitywasduetotheincreaseoftotalpopulationwhichindicatestheexpandedeconomicactivitiesintheurbanareaandintensivefarmingintheruralarea,inadditiontoitslocationfairlyclosetoYangonCity.1.2.3PopulationDistributionGenerallypeoplearemoreconcentratinginthelowplainareawhereagricultureisthechieflivelihoodofruralpopulationandalongthemainroadswereaccessibilityishigh.InBagoTownshipnearlyhalfthetotalpopulationsareresidingintheurbanareawheretradingactivityandhomeindustriesdevelop.Thenorthernhillyareaislowinpopulationconcentration.1.2.4UrbanandRuralPopulation7Generallyurbanresidentsusemoreroadtransportthanruraldwellers,astheyaremoveinvolvedintheshiftingofagriculturalproducesandvariouskindsofmanufacturedgoodsfromplacetoplace.Besides,theyneedtousebusesfortheirroutinework.In2002,BagoTownshiphadatotalpopulationof449,154personsofwhich217,504persons(48.43%)livedintheurbanarea,whiletheremaining231,650(51.57%)wereruraldwellers.Thedecreaseinthenumberofruralpopulationin2003thanthatof2002wasduetotheextensionofurbanareabyestablishingUssaMyothitinpartoftheruralarea.Thetownshipspopulationincreasedto506,214personsin2010,ofwhich284,919personsor56.28%wereurbanpopulationand221,295(43.71%)livedintheruralarea.Table(1.6).Duetohighconcentrationofpeopleinarelativelysmallurbanarea,theroaddensityismuchhigherthaninruralareaalsoleadstotheemergenceofnewroadstoexploittheexistingcomplementarilyamongvillagesandbetweenthetownandruralvillages.ChapterIIHistoricalBackgroundandRoadTransportationBeforetheemergenceofmodernroadsystemtheoverlandmovementofpeopleortransportofgoodswascarriedoutbymanuallabourorbyhorseandox-drawncarts.Theinventionofmotor-carledtotheconstructionofmodernroads,firstusedbyaprivilegedfew,followedbybusesforthetransportofpublic.ThefirstbusserviceintheBagoareastartedwithHinthaBuslinein1953.Thebuslinesservednotonlythetransportofpassengersbutalsoofcommodity.ItrunbetweenBagoandYangononetimedailyandthebusfareforeachpassengerwasKs2,andthenrosetoKs3.In1978-88,Dagon-UssaBuslinewasestablishedwithBM-typecarsandeachbuscouldcarry27passengersatatime.Thebuslineserveswith6buseswith3timesaday.Thusthetotalnumberofservinginamonthwas240.Inthesubsequentyear,Ussa-KittaraBusline,whichservedbetweenBagoandPyaywasestablished.Theintraurbanbuslinebegantoservein1989.2.1TheGrowthofRoadTransportation8ThetotallengthofroadinBagoTownshipin1988was160miles.Thenewroadswereconstructedinthenexttwodecadesandthusthetotallengthofroadsincreasedto292.6milesin2009.Thenewlyconstructedroadsaremostlyforintra-urbanconnection.RoadconstructionworkwascarriedoutbytheDepartmentofPublicWorksorbyTownshipDevelopmentCommittee.MostroadsinBagoTownshiphavebeenconstructedbyPublicWorks.2.2IntraurbanRoadTransportwithinBagoCityareaWithintheBagocityarea,formerCollegeBusline,MyotpartExpressBuslineandMyotpartBuslinemainlyservedforthetransportofpassengers.Sincetheyear2000,thethree-wheelmotorcyclewasinitiatedandnowsuchvehiclesaregreatservingingreatnumber,inadditiontotheexistingbuslines.Moreover,motorcycles,horse-drawncarts,trishawsandbicycles(carrier)alsoserveforintraurbantransport.Passengercangettotheirdestinationinashortlinebyusingthree-wheelmotorcycles.Fortheeffectivetransportofpassengers,thedepartmentconcernedarranged5three-wheelmotorcyclelinesthroughwhich468three-wheelmotorcyclesareaservingcurrently.No.3transportlinewith50threewheelmotorcyclesservesbetweenHinthagoneandUniversityofBago,betweenHinthagoneandMahacetiandbetweenHinthagoneandBaHtoo.Eachmotorcycleservesthreetimesdailyinaveragecarryingabout1500passengers.BuslineNo.12isbeingservedby184busesandithas5differentroutesincludingShwemawdaw-BagoUniversityline,Shawmawdaw-Seinthalgaung-Mahacetiline,Shwemawdaw-Kyaikpadaingline,Shwemawdaw-Socialist-OkthaGolfClublineandBago-Thanatpinline.Eachbusservethreetimesdaily,transportingabout3000passengersNo.14Busline,with48buses,servesalong3differentroutes,betweenPhettanMarketandOldExpressBus-gate,betweenPhettanandShwethalyaungandbetweenPhettanandPyinsi.Threetimesbyeachbusdaily,about1400passengersaretransported.No.15Buslineisservedby100buses,betweenKamarnatandUniversityofBago,betweenKamarnatandMahargyi,betweenKamarnatandMahacetiandbetweenKamarnatandKaliround.Servedbyeachbas3timesdaily,about2500passengersmovealongtheserouteseveryday.UniversityofBagoisaccessibletoShwemawdawGate,Kamarnat-PagodaMarketandKyunthayarMarket(Phettan)byallbusesrunningacrossBagoMyomaMarket.Inaddition,agreatnumberofthree-wheelmotorcyclesservealongtheseroads.Only519busesservesalongthislivein1995andnowitisbeingservedby372vehiclesincludingthree-wheelmotorcycles.Thedailymovementofpassengeralongthisroutehasincreasedtonearly4000,duetotheincreaseinthenumberofstudents,therisingnumberofworkersandservicepersonnel,theestablishmentofnewfactoriesandofOkthaMyothit.ThebusfarefromthestartpointtotheterminusisKs150.ChapterIIIRoadTransportNetworkofBagoAsBagoisthejunctionofroadandrail,itroadnetworkisinfluencedbytheroadlinksthatradiatefromBagotootherdirections.Therefore,itisnecessarytostudytheroadlinkingwithitsvicinityareas.3.1RoadLinkingbetweenBagoanditsvicinityAreaTheYangon-MandalayroadthatrunsacrossBagowasconstructedundercolonialperiodin1887.AtPhayargyi,about10milesnorthofBago,aroadbranchesofftotheeasttolinkwithMonStateandTanintharyiRegion.FromBago,ThanatpinRoadrunstowardstheeastandthenturnstowardsthesouthasOhnhne-Thetkala-Khayan-ThongwaRoad.TothesoutheastaroadlinksBagowithWaw,whileBago-Hlegu-YangonRoadrunstowardsthesouthwestandBago-Phayargyi-Zaungtu-TaikkyiRoadtothewest.Figure(3.1).3.2TheConditionsofRoadsandBridgesBagoanditssurroundingareasreceivesover100inchesofannualrainfallandthustherun-offcombineintorills,drains,streamletscreeksandrivers.Astheareaisrepletewithstreams,anumberofsmalltomedium-sizebridgeshadtobebuiltalongtheroadsforcontinuousmovementoftraffic.Thefallowingsarethelengthofroadsandnumberofbridgeswhichhavebeenconstructeduptotheendof2010.(1)ThetarredroadintheGovernmentQuarterwardhasalengthof3milesanditincludes9concretebridgesand6pipebridges.(2)ThelengthofroadwithinBagoTownshipalongBago-Daik-Uroadsectionis37miles2furlongscrossing174bridges.10(3)AlongtheYangon-Bago_Phayargyiroadsection,thelengthofroadinBago-Townshipis26miles6furlongs.Itisoftarredroadandhas80bridgesincluding23concretebridgesand57pipebridges.(4)TheroadlengthinBagoTownshipalongBago-Thanatpin-Khayan-Thanlyinroadis4miles,having8concretebridgesanditis12.5milesofroadinThanatpinTownshipwithoneiron-framebridgeand25concretebridges.(5)AlongBago-Intagaw-Htonegyi-Kawa-Ohnhneroad,thelengthofroadsectionwithinBagoTownshipis7miles7furlongswith20bridgesincluding14concretebridgesand6pipebridgesanditis10milesofroadwith15bridgesinKawaTownship.ArelativelylongbridgewasbuiltacrosstheBagoRiverin2009,linkingHtonegyiandKawa.Thisbridgeenhancesthesmoothandrapidflowofagriculturalproduces,fishandmeatfromHtonegyiandKawatoBagoandYangon.(6)ThePhayargyi-Bawnatgyi-Zaungtu-Taikkyiroadis41.9mileslongofwhichasectionof17.5milesisofgravelandtheremaining24.4milesofearthfoundation.Thisroadlinkhas88bridgesincluding20concretebridges,45woodenbridgesand23pipebridges.IthasbeenlinkedwithYangon-NaypyitawRoad,considerablyshorteningthedistanceandthetometotakefromBagotoNaypyitawaswellastoMandalay.(7)Bago-Phaunggyi-TaikkyiroadlinkstartsnearNyaung-InnVillageinBagoTownshipandrunsacrosstheBagoYomatolinkwithTaikkyi.Theroadlinkis42mileslongandwasopenedin2010,joiningBagoRegion(East)withBagoRegion(West).ItisanimportantroadlinkfortheexchangeofgoodsanddevelopmentoftradebetweenthetworegionsotherwiseseparatedbyBagoYoma.3.3RoadNetworkAnalysisAnetworkisacollectionofpoints,someofwhichareconnectedbylines.Verticesarealsoknownasnodes,points,junctionsandintersections.Edgesarelinks,arcs,routesandbranches.Theefficiencyofanetworkcanbemeasuredthroughgraphtheoryandnetworkanalysis.IntheanalysisofroadnetworkofBagoanditsvicinityarea,thelocationsoftownsandcertainvillagesarespecifiedasthevertices(nodes)andmotorroadswhichconnectedtheseverticesaretermedasedges(linkages).Inthisstudyonlythedirectnetworkofthestudyareaisconsidered.Forcomparison,theroadnetworkin1988andin2010areanalyzedandpresented.11In1988,theroadnetworkinBagoanditsvicinityareahad16vertices(nodes)and16edges(linkages)andasimulatedplannargraphforthenetworkisshowninFigure(3.2).Intheplannargraph,theverticesareshowntoindicatelinkswiththevertices.In2010,theroadnetworkhassomewhatdevelopedandhas25verticesand29edgesintheplannargraph.Figure(3.3).Anytransportnetworkmaybeconsideredasatopologicalgraphwiththreeparametersfromwhichquantitativemeasurementsmaybecomputedasabasisfordescription,comparisonandevaluationofthenetwork.Theseparametersare:(1)thenumberofseparatesub-graphsinthenetwork(p),(2)thenumberoflinksinthenetwork(e),and(3)thenumberofverticesinthenetwork(v).Table(3.1).First,BetaIndexisusedintheroadnetworkanalysisandcalculatedbydividingthenumberofedgesbythenumberofnodes.Theroadnetworkin1988includedonlyonecircuitandthustheindexis1.Thecalculatedvaluefor2010is1.16.Thisclearlyshowstheexpandingofroadnetworkafter1988.Then,AlphaIndexisemployedtomeasuretheconnectivityofthenetwork.Theindexrangesinvaluefrom0and1,thelattervalueindicatingacompletelyconnectednetwork.Thevaluesareherepresentedinpercentages.Itis4percentfortheroadnetworkin1988and11percentin2010,revealingtheincreaseincircularconnectionbetweenvertices.TheroadnetworksinthetwoperiodsarealsoanalyzedbyGammaIndex,inwhichthecalculatedvalueisbetweenzeroandoneandisexpressedasapercentage.Thecalculatedvaluefor1988is38percentanditincreasedto42percentin2010,indicatingmorenodalconnectionintheroadnetworkof2010.ThenumberofcircuitsisalsomeasuredbyCyclomaticNumbertoidentifythedegreeofconnectivityoftheroadnetworksinthetwoperiods.Accordingtothecyclomaticnumberthereisonlyonecircuitfortheroadnetworkof1988,but5circuitsin2010,clearlyrevealingthedevelopmentofroadnetworkinthesubsequentyear.Thedevelopmentofroadnetworkinagivenareacanalsobeexpressedbynetworkdensitybydividingthetotalroadlengthwiththeareaconcerned.AsshowninTable(3.1),theroadnetworkdensityin1988was1.73milespersquarekilometersanditincreasednearlytwo-foldto3.07milespersquarekilometer.ChapterIVRoadTransportofPassengersandFreights12Fortheeffectivetransportofpassengersandfreights,thenumberandtypeofbuses,trucksandtree-wheelmotorcyclesshouldbelargeandefficientenoughtosatisfythedemand,inadditiontogoodconditionoftheroads.Thetransportofpassengersandfreightcanbedistinguishedas:(a)intraurbantransport,(b)transportbetweenBagoanditssurroundingareaand,(c)transportthroughtheBagoarea.4.1TypeofBusandPassengerTransportTobeabletoidentifythetypesofbus,trucksandothervehicles,frequencyoftransport,andnumberofpassengers,fieldsurveyshavebeenconductedfromOctobertoDecember,2011,byrecordingthemovementofpassengerbusesbetweenBagoandits100-milesradiusand200-milesradius.Table(4.1)and(4.2).Typesofvehicle,thedailymovementofpassengerfromBagotoYangonandviceversaareshowninTable(4.3).Withintheseareas,6typesofbusesareservingandtheseare:(1)Three-wheelmotorcycles,(2)Hiluxcar,(3)Dynacar,(4)Bus,(5)Expressbusand(6)Taxi.Currentlythereare602local-makethree-wheelmotorcyclesservingthetransportofpassengerswithinBagoTownsanditsneighbouringvillageslocatingwithin5-mileradius.Eachthree-wheelmotorcycle,withacarryingcapacityof8personpertrip,serve4timesaday.Basedonthisrate,three-wheelmotorcyclestransportover597,184passengersinamonthandthetotalpassenger-roadmilein2,985,920.Thereare711Hiluxcarseachservingtwotimesadayalongthe100-miledistance.EachHiluxcarcantransport13passengersinonetripthusthenumberofpassengerstransportedbythistypeofcarinamonthis573,066andthetotalpassengerroadmileis57,306,600.Within100-mileradiusfromthecentreofBago,196Dynacarsareservingthetransportofpassengers.EachDynacancarry17passengersatatimeanditservestwotimesdaily,thustransporting206,584passengersinamonthand20,658,400passenger-mileintotal.Withacarryingacapacityof45passengers,127largeexpressbusesareservingtwotimesdaily,transporting354,330passengersinamonth.Thetotalservingis35,433,000passenger-mile.Within10-mileradiusaroundBago,26taxisareservingthetransportofpassengers.Eachtaxicantransport5passengersineachtrip.Withthreetimesaday,thistypeofvehicletransports12,090passengersinamonth,totaling120,900passenger-mile.13Theexisting6typesofvehicleswithatotalnumberof1m905transports2,195,234passengersinamonthor70,814passengersaday.Types,numbers,carryingcapacityandfrequencyofservingarepresentedinTable(4.4)andFigure(4.1),andmonthlypassengerflowbyroadtransportinBagoanditsvicinityinTable(4.5)andFigure(4.2).4.2TypesandNumberofVehiclesServingonYangon-Bago-MandalayRoadBeingtheonlymainroadlinkingbetweenBagoandMandalaybeforetheconstructionofNaypyitawroad,anumberofdifferenttypesofcarsraneverydayonthisroad.Aftertheroadwasupgradedasawide6-tractroad,roadtransportalongthisroutehasbecomemoreconvenientandeffective.Accordingtofieldsurveysconductedfrom6amto6pminOctober,2011,3,045carsruneverydayontheroador253carsineveryonehourfromdawntoduskinaverage.Table(4.6).Thevehiclesincludesmall,mediumandlargepassengerbuses,privateanddepartmentalcars,trucks,dieselboxcarsloggingtrucks,three-wheelmotorcyclesandmotorcycles.ThenumberofcarsthatrunacrossBagotowardsYangondailyin1,549including373Hiluxs,74expressbuses,69highwayexpressbuses,29dieselboxcarsand329trucks.Inaddition590privateanddepartmentalcars798motorcyclesmovetowardsYangondaily.Thereare342three-wheelmotorcyclesservingpartlyalongBago-YangonRoadanditssurroundings.ThemovementofvehiclesheadingtowardsYangonishighestinthemorninghours.Inoppositedirection,thenumberofcarsmovefromYangontoMandalayviaBagois1,496ofwhich356HiluxshavetheirdestinationatNyaunglaypin;83highwayexpressbuses,49dieselbowsercarsand26loggingtrucksmoveontowardsMandalayRegion,MonandShanStates.ThemajorityofcarsmoveacrossBagointheeveninghours.Everyday556privateanddepartmentalcars,49dieselbowsercars,26loggingtrucks,783motorcyclescomefromYangonandrunacrossBago.GenerallyprivateanddepartmentalcarsthatmovealongYangon-Bago-Mandalayroadaregreatestinnumber.Largecarsof5tonsandaboveandsmallcarsunder5tonsmovemostlytowardsYangon.MostdieselbowsercarsalsomovetowardsYangonwhereasloggingtrucksandlargetrucksmovefromYangonacrossBagotowardsthenorth.BagoandThanatpinareconnectedbyabranchroadoftheYangon-Mandalayroad.Thevehiclesthatservealongthisroadlinkare25Hiluxcars,30trucksthatcarryfishandpaddy,70privateanddepartmentalcarsand25three-wheelmotor-cycles.144.3LengthandTypesofroadThereare5interurbanroadsthatbranchofffromBago.TheseareBago-Daik-Uroad(34/5miles),Thanatpin-Khayanroad(23/7miles),Bago-Kawaroad(21miles),Bago-Wawroad(20miles)andPhayargyi-Zaungtu-Taikkyiroad(42/1miles).TheroadlengthwithinBagoTownshipis85/4.89milesintheurbanareaand109/4.76milesintheruralarea,totaling195/1.65miles.Table(4.7).TheroadlengthofBagoDistrictis1192/6.31milesandthustheroadlengthofBagoTownshiprepresents15.6percentofthedistricttotal,anditisthelongestamongthe8townshipsofthedistrict.4.3.1Yangon-Bago-Daik-URoadThisispartofYangon-Bago-Mandalayroad.Before1915,thewidthoftheroadis10feetofwhich8feetweretarred.Itwasextendedtotwo-tractroadin1972andto6-tractroadin1993-94.Bago-Yangonroadsectionwasextendedfrom22feetto72feetinwidth,completedinDecember,1998.Theextendedroadsectionisfrommile-post32/6atWunbawdavillagetomile-post48inOkthaMyothit.Thelengthofextendedandwellpavedroadis15/2miles.TheextensionproducedtoDaik-U,totaling34/5miles.Thisroadsectionisusedby300trucksandover500passengersbusesmovedailyandthusitisthemostimportantroadsectionthatlinkswithBago.4.3.2Yangon-Bago-Phayargyi-WawRoadFromYangontoWawroadjunction,itis60/5milesandtotheborderofBagoDistrictinWawTownshipitis86/4miles.TheroadproceedsonsouthwardtoMonStateandTannitharyiRegion.Thisroadlinkis,therefore,economicallythesecondmostimportant.ThepilgrimstoKyaikhtiyoPagodatakealongthisroad.About300Hiluxcarsand16busesruneverydayfromBagotoWaw.4.3.3Kawa-OhnhneRoad15ApartlyearthandpartlylateriteroadfromKawatoOhnhewasconstructedin1971.Itwasupgradedin1996astarredroadandtheroadlengthfromBagotoKawais30/7miles.Thisroadsectionisservedby10Hiluxcars,20Dynacars,8expressbuses,20smalltrucks,10largetrucksand20horse-drawncarts.Thelocallyproduceditemssuchaspaddy,pulses,fish,ducksandeggsareshippedalongthisroadtoBago.4.3.4Bago-Thanatpin-ThongwaRoadArailroutewasconstructedduringthecolonialperiodacrossthisregion.Afterindependence,thegovernmentdecidedtoconstructroadsalongtheroutein1950.Itwasalateriteroaduntil1971whenitwasextendedto12feetwideandupgradedasatarredroad.Itrunsthroughfor4milesinBagoTownship,12/5milesinThanatpinTownshipand14/2milesinKawaTownshiptotally30/7miles.TheroadcontinuesfromKawatoKhayan,ThongwaandThanlyin.Everydayabout100trucks,100smallpassengercars,70privatecarsand70trishawsandhorse-drawncartsservealongthisroad.AsthisroadisaccessibletoYangonviaThanlyin,surplusagricultureproducesandothercommoditiesproducedfromBago,ThannatpinandKawatownshipsaresenttoYangonalongthisroad.Thusitsimportanceliesontheflowofcommoditythanthemovementofpeople.4.3.5Bago-Phayargyi-Bawnatgyi-Zaungtu-TaikkyiRoadItis6milesfromPhayargyitoBawnatgyiincluding3/5milesoftarredroadand2/3milesoflateriteroad.AroadlinkfromBawnatgyitoZaungtuwasextendedwhichwascompletedinFebruary1994anditisalateriteroad.ZaungtuHydelPowerProjectwasthemaincauseoftheconstructionofthisroadlink.FromZaungtutoTaikkgyiisalateriteroad.ItwascompletedinMay1995andhasalengthof14/3miles.TheroadlengthfromPhayargyitoTaikkgyiis42/1miles.Alongthisroadabout20passengercars,20carsthatcarryfirewoodsandcharcoal,25carsthatcarrypaddyand20departmentalcarsrundailyinthedryseason,and5passengercars,15firewood-charcoalcarryingcarsand5departmentalcarsintherainyseason.ItissupportiveforregionaldevelopmentasBawnatgyiislinkedwithYangon-Naypyitaw-MandalayHighway.4.3.6Bago-ThingangyunRoad16ThisroadlinkisapartofNo(2)Yangon-MandalayHighwayandjoinswithNo(1)Yangon-MandalayHighwayatIndaing,14milesfromBago.KabarkyawBusline,with38Dynacarsservesalongthisroad.Inaddition,anumberofpassengercars,trucksandprivatecarsmoveupanddowntheroad.4.4TravelandTimeandCostAsroadtransportisusedincreasinglybothinthemovementofpeopleandtransportofgoods,thecostorthebusfareshouldbereasonableotherwisealargeproportionofincomewilldrainoff.Agreatnumberofworkersandstudentshavetousebusatleasttwotimesaday.Thetransportcostandtraveltimeaffectcommodityflowandthepriceofcommodity.InthisstudytraveltimesandcostsareincludedforthetripfromBagotoYangontothesouth,toDaik-Utothenorth,toWawtotheeast,ThanatpinandKawatothesoutheastandBawnatgyi,ZaungtuandTaikkgyitothewest.Fortemporalchangesintransportcostandtraveltime,theyears1995,2000,2005and2010arechosen.Table(4.8)and(4.9).ThetimeconsumedalongYangon-Bago-Mandalayroadhasnotablyreducedaftertheextensionandupgradingoftheroad.Before1988,ittookabouttwohourstogettoYangonfromBago,nowittakesjustanhour.ThelengthofBago-Thanatpinisonly7miles,butitwasnarrowandnotfavourabletodrivewithspeed.Ittookanhourtocompletethetrip.Theroadwasupgradedin2010andittakesonlyabout30minutesbyexpressbus.Bago-Wawroadis20mileslongandtheroadsectionbetweenPhayargyiandWawwasrathernarrowbefore1988.Besides,theroadwasdamagedseverelyintherainyseasonandthusittook1:45hoursevenbyanexpressbus.Itwasupgradedin2010andthusthetraveltimereducestoaboutonehour.TherearetworoadlinksthatconnectBagoandWaw,onealongBago-Thanatpin-OhnhneroadandanotheralongBago-Htongyiroad.Theformeris23mileslongandthelatter21mileslong.Becauseofitsnarrowbreathandinferiorqualityittool2:30hoursinthepast,butthetraveltimehasreducedto1:30hoursafterithadbeenupgradedin2005.TheBagoBridge(Kawa)overtheBagoRiverwasbuiltin2009andthetraveltimesomewhatreducedalongtheroad.FromBagotoThingangyun,thetraveltimewithbuswasabout2:00hours.AfterthecompletionofNo(2)UnionRoadin2000.Traveltimehasreducedtoabout1:30hours.17AlongtheYangon-Bago-Mandalayroad,theBagoRiverismainstream.In2009,thebridgewasextendedandreinforced,easingtheflowoftraffic.ThetrafficflowissmoothonBago-Thanatpinroad,duetothepresenceofthebridgesacrosstheBago-Sittoungcanal.ThetraveltimesanddistancesfromBagotoitssurroundingareasarepresentedinTable(4.8).In1988,thebusfareforeachpassengerwasks15betweenBagoandYangon,Ks15betweenBagoandDaik-U,Ks6betweenBagoandWaw,Ks2betweenBagoandThanatpinandKs12betweenBagoandKawa.Thebusfaresincreasedwiththerapidlyincreasingrateofinflation.Withinflation,thepricesofpetrolanddieselhaverisendramatically.Severalgateswereopenedafterupgradingroads.Asaresult,thebusfareshaverisentoKs1000betweenBagoandYangon,Ks1000betweenBagoandDaik-U,Ks300betweenBagoandThanatpinandks800betweenBagoandKawa.4.5RoadTransportofFreightDevelopmentoftradebetweenregionsdependslargelyinroadtransportoffreight.Although,heavyandbulkycommoditiesaremoresuitableandlestcostlytoshipbywaterway,mostshippersoffreightuselandtransportationasittakeslesstimetogettothedestination.4.5.1NumberandTypesofVehiclesThecurrentfreighttransporttrucksincludethetrucksthatcancarry2and3tonsoffreight,between3and5tons,between5and7tons,between7and9tons,between9and11tonsandtrailerjeep.Thereare92truckswithacarryingcapacityof2-3tonseachandtheshipmentoffreightbythistypeoffreightisover8,500tonsinamonth.Thenumberoftruckswithacarryingcapacityof3-5tonsis126andthesetruckstransport19,530tonsoffreightmonthly.Theseare250trucksthateachcancarry5-7tonsoffreightandthemonthlyshipmentoffreightbythistypeis54,250tons.Thenumberoftrucksthatcancarry7-9tonseachis131andtheamountoffreightshippedbythistypeis3,537tons.Withacarryingcapacityof9-11tonseach,199truckstransport6,567tonsoffreightmonthly.Themonthlyshipmentoffreightbytrailerjeepsisestimatedatalittleover8600tonsoffreightmonthly.Table(4.10).4.5.2TheVolumeofFreightFlow18Eachtruckthatcancarry2-3tonsservesonceadayandthus92truckstransport285,200ton-mileoffreightmonthlywithin100-mileradiusfromBago.Themonthlyshipmentoffreightis390,600tonmileby3-5tontrucks,and775,000ton-mileby5-7tontrucks.Thesetwotypesoftruckalsoserveonceadaywith100-mileradius.Thelargetruckswithacarryingcapacityof7-9tonsand9-11tonsgenerallyserve3timesinmonthontheroutehavingalengthof500miles.Themonthlyamountoffreighttransportedwas196,500ton-mileby7-9tontrucksand298,500ton-mileby9-11tontrucks.Thereare287trailerjeepsandattherateofonceadaythesejeepstransport177,940ton-mileoffreightinamonth.Table(4.11)andFigue(4.3)Thenumberoftrucksandtheamountoffreightmentionedaboveindicatetheimportanceofroadtransportofthestudyarea.ChapterVTheEffectofRoadTransportationontheSectorsTheimprovementofroadtransportationenhancesthedevelopmentofothereconomicandsocialsectors.5.1EffectandTourismBagoanditssurroundingareaisoneoftheimportanttouristzonesofMyanmar.Foralongtimebetween14thand18thcentury,BagohadbeenacapitalcityofMonandMyanmarKingdomsandthusithasanumberofancienthistoricalsitesandmassivereligiousbuildings.KanbawzathardiPalacethefirstandsecondhighestShwemawdawandMahacetipagodasinMyanmar,themassiveandhistoricShwetharlyaung,MyatharlyaungandSeintharlyaungreclining,BuddhaimagestheflowlargeBuddhaimageKalyariSimawhichhousesthe10stoneinscriptionsofMiddleHanthawadyEra,andMoeyungyiwetlandbirdsanctuaryarethemostattractivetouristdestinationstowhichtensofthousandsofpilgrimsandtouristsvisiteverymonth.Theimprovementofintra-urbanroadsandYangon-Bagoroadensuresthesmooth,speedyandsecureflowofbothdomesticandforeigntouristsparticularlyfromYangonaswellasfromthesurroundingareas.Usuallyover10percentofforeigntouriststhatarriveYangonvisittheBagotourismzone,becauseofhighaccessibilitybetweenBagoandYangonandfromBagotoKyaikhtiyo,locatedinKyaikhtoTownship.TheextensionofYangon-Bago-Mandalayroadinto6tractsenhancesthespeedytransportationandreducesthetraveltimewhichsomehowhelpsdevelopthetourismofBagozone.195.2EffectonTradeSectorThesurplusagriculturalproducesincludinglivestock,value-addedwood-baseditemsandcherootsaresenttoYangonandothertownsmostlythroughroadtransportexpandingthemarketabilityofthesurplusgoods.InreturnBagoanditsvicinityareasneedagriculturalimplementsandmachines,variousconsumersandpersonalusegoods.Nearlyalltheseitemsarebroughtinwithroadtransport.Highaccessibilityalsoenhancesthemovementofperishablegoods,asittakesonlyonetotwohourswithin100-mileradiusfromBago.Smoothandspeedytransportsomewhatreducesthepricesofcommoditiesthatmoveintothestudyandmoveoutoffit.5.3EffectonEducationAccessibility,tosomeextent,affectsthelearningopportunityofruralvillages,asnoteveryvillagehasamiddleschoolorhighschool.Insomecases,thehighschoolisfarfromtheruralvillage.Thisincreasesthepercentageofdrop-outinthemiddleschoollevel.Astheroadcircuitshavedevelopedinmanypartsofthestudyarea,mostruralinhabitantscangettoafairlydistanthighschoolbybus,particularlyaftertheupgradingofBago-WawandBago-Phayargyi-Zaungtu-Taikkyiroadlinks.SomestudentsattendtheUniversityofBagodailybymotorcyclefromdistantplaces,theconditionofroadsarefairlygood.Themajorityusebusesinattendingthehighereducationinstitution.5.4EffectonPublicHealthOwingtolimitedroadinfrastructureinthepast,particularlybefore1988,somepatientswithemergencycasesfromtheruralareasoftenlosttheirlifeonthewaybecauseofbeingunabletosendthepatientsintimetotheBagoHospitalorYangonGeneralHospital.Now,suchcasesarerare,asseveralintraurbanandinterdistrictroadshavebeenconstructedandtheexistingonesupgraded.Patientscangettothenearesthospitalwithinashorttimefortheeffectivetreatmentofseriouscases,thusreducingthenumberofdeathtoll.ChapterVIFindingandSuggestion20Roadtransportationbasicallydependsontheroadnetwork,conditionsofroads,thenumberofpeopleandtheamountofcommodityflowwhichreflecttheinteractionbetweenregions.Bago,beingaplaceofroadjunctionwithalargenumberpopulationandproductivehinterland,theintraurbanroadlinksaswellasthatlinkingtodifferentdirectionshavedevelopedrapidly.ThelengthofroadswithinBagoTownshipin1988was160milesanditincreasedto296/6.2milesin2010.TheroadnetworkofBagoanditsvicinityismeasuredbytopologicalindicesthatbetaindexisonein1988and1.16in2010,alphaindexis4%in1988and11%in2009,gammaindexis38%in1988and42%in2010andcyclomaticnumberisonein1988andfivein2010.Thenetworkdensityincreasedfrom0.59milespersquarekilometerin1988to1.97milesin2010,morethan3-foldinthepasttwodecades.TheincreaseinthevaluesoftopologicalindicesmeasuringtheconnectivityofroadnetworkclearlyindicatesthedevelopmentofroadnetworkofBagoanditsvicinity.Thedevelopmentofroadnetworkinvolvedtheconstructionofnewroadlinksandupgradingandextensionoftheexistingones.Theimprovementinaccessibilityenhancestheinteractionandflowofpeopleandcommoditybetweentheurbanandruralareasandbetweentownsandregions.Withintheincreasingpopulationandamountofproductionessentiallyintheprimarysectorandpartlyinthesecondarysector,thenumbersofpassengersandamountofcommoditymovedbyroadtransporthaveincreasednotably.Accordinglymoreandmorepassengerbusesandtruckscarryingfreightservealongtheexistingroadlinks.Thebusesandtruckshaveincreasednotonlyinnumberbutalsoinqualityandcarryingcapacity.Improvementoftheroadsandvehicles,andconstructionofbridgeswherevernecessaryalongtheroadsenhancetheeffectivenessofroadtransportandshorterthetraveltime.InsendingagriculturalandaquaticproductsfromBagotoYangon,notonlyYangon-MandalayroadbutalsoOhnhne-ThanlyinroadviaKhayanandThongwaareused.Theitemssent,especiallyaquaticproducts,arelessperishedthanbeforebecauseoftheshorteningofthetimespentontheway.Theroadtransportimprovementsomewhathelpsdeveloptourism.DomesticandforeigntouristsaswellaspilgrimscaneasilyvisitvarioussitesinBagoandMoeyungyiWetlandBirdSanctuary.TheestablishmentofseverallargefactoriesandmillsintheouterurbanareaofBagoismainlyduetogoodroadtransport.AlthoughthereisrailtransportbetweenBagoandYangon,byfarthelargemajorityofpeopleuseroadtransportinmakingshortorlongtripsfromBagoandviceversa.Likewise,21mostcommoditiesaresentbycarsbecauseofeasyavailabilityoftruckandgoodroadconditionsandofrareandirregularrailtransport.SuggestionsTherearesomeweaknessesinroadtransport.Althoughmostroadshavebeenextendedandupgraded,theycannotwithstandimpactofheavyincessantrainsandlargetrucks.Everyyearsomepartsoftheroadbecomedamagedbeforetheendofrainyseason,andthusroadrepairworkhastobeundertakeneveryyearmainlyduetoungovernablegreedofthecontractorstomaximizetheprofit.BagoRiverfloodisanothercauseofroadimpairment.Roadsectionimmediatelytothesouthoftheriverisdeeplyinundatedbyfloodwateroftheriver,sometimesdestroyingdeepdowntotheroadfoundation.Sincesucheventsarenotuncommonalmosteveryyear,necessarymeasuresshouldbeundertakenforthesmoothandspeedflowofpeopleandcommodity.Road,electricityandwatersupplyarebasicpublicutilitiesandgovernmentshouldsharethebudgetforthem,insteadofbeingassignedtotheprivateentrepreneurswholatermanagetogainprofitthroughtollgates,whichareagreatnuisancetothetravelersanddrivers.TrafficjamhasbecomeacommonsceneneartheMyomaMarketpartlyduetolargecrowedofcustomerstothemarketandpartlytothebreakoftrafficrulesbythedriverswhostopanywheretopickupthepassengers.Thetrafficjamandtheincreasingnumberofthree-wheelmotorcyclesareprovetoroadaccidentandthustheauthoritiesconcernedshouldtightenthereinoverthedriversofalltypesofvehicles.ConclusionBagoTownship,oneofthe14townshipsofBagoRegion(East)occupiesthesoutheasternpartofregionanditisthelargesttownintermsofpopulation.Beingaroadjunctionwithwideproductivefarmland,itfunctionsasacollectinganddistributioncentreofagriculturalandmanufacturedproducts.Thishasenhancedthedevelopmentofroadlinkstodifferentdirection,inadditiontothemainroadthatproceedstoMandalayandbranchesofftoMonStateandThanatharyiRegion.Before1988,roadtransportwasmainlyalongYangon-Bago-MandalayroadandabranchroadthatleadstoMonState.Atpresent,Bago-Mottamaroadhasbeenextendedto22DaweiviaMawlamyineandYangon-Bago-Phyargyi-Naypyidawhighway,Bago-KawaroadandBago-Taikkgyiroadhavebeenconstructed.Alsotheotherexistingoneshavebeenupgraded.Therefore,theroadnetworkhasexpandedandthenumberofroadcircuithasincreased.TheconstructionofBagoBridge(Bago)andBagoBridge(Kawa)acrosstheBagoRiverenhancesthespeedyflowofpeopleandcommodity.TheroadnetworkandhenceroadtransportationofBagoanditsvicinityislikelytodevelopfurtheruntilalllinkedareconnectedeachotherformingtotallycompletecircuits,butataslowerpace,unlesseconomicdevelopment,basedonmanufacturingindustriesinitiatedbyanumberofforeignfirms,hasnotbeenaccelerated.