1.

Introduction

The nation's overall progress is dependent upon the availability of effective transportation
infrastructure and services. The trend of planning and designing the road system are based on
automobile oriented one, resulting the large number of accidents. The infrastructure of the road
network should be designed to ensure that people and vehicles can move about safely and
efficiently.

Background
Globally, approximately 1.19 million people die each year due to road traffic crashes. On
average, every day, Nepal experiences about 65 traffic accidents, leading to seven deaths and 83
injuries daily. The traffic accident statistics for Nepal in the years 2022–2023 provide important
and worrisome information. 8,170 traffic accidents occurred in total throughout this time. 2,165
people lost their lives, and 7,187 others were injured as a result of these incidents. Road traffic
injuries are among the three leading causes of death for people between 5 and 44 years of age.
Unless immediate and effective action is taken, road traffic injuries are predicted to become the
fifth leading cause of death in the world, resulting in an estimated 2.4 million deaths each year
(United Nation, 2011). According to a 2018 ‘Kathmandu Walkability Study’ by the Resource
Centre for Primary Health Care, which surveyed 35 different sections of the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City, more than 70 percent of roads do not have basic amenities for pedestrians. In
2021, pedestrians and cyclists accounted for 26.3 percent of the total road fatalities. The
Kathmandu Valley, which comprises the districts of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, is
predicted to see an annual population growth rate of about 4.71% as of 2023. Vehicle ownership
in Kathmandu has increased significantly in parallel with the city's population expansion, with
yearly growth rates estimated to be between 12 and 15%.Gaushala connecting major crowd areas
like: - TU international airport, Pashupatinath temple, etc. faces high traffic density. Mainly,
pedestrians visiting to Pashupatinath temple face quite difficulty as there is a certain risk factor
during their road usage. The road lacks proper sidewalks as it does not consider pedestrian
volume, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road, increasing the risk of accidents.

Problem statement
The intersection of Gaushala and Chabahil is a critical junction in the local transportation
network, experiencing heavy traffic congestion and frequent accidents. Even with increased
public-private awareness of traffic accidents, Nepal's traffic crash rate is still far too high. The
majority of the road segment that is crucial for directing traffic movements consists of road
intersections. The most urgent issues in many urban areas of Kathmandu, including Gaushala
and Chabahil, are related to traffic congestion. The rate of fatalities from traffic accidents is still
too high. These issues are the primary causes of traffic jams in both the intersection and on the
roads. This intersection connects 4 major areas of Kathmandu: Gaushala, Chabahil, Battisputali,
and Gyaneshwor. Intersection crashes are one of the major issues in Kathmandu valley road
networks. In Kathmandu valley, about 40% journeys are made on foot (JICA, 2012). Many of the
road accident in Kathmandu were found occurring at pedestrian crossings MTPD (Metropolitan
Traffic Police Division, Kathmandu). Area like:- Pashupatinath Temple experiences heavy foot
traffic due to its cultural, religious, and historical significance causing a main problem to
pedestrians.

Need for Study

The proposed project aims to significantly reduce the number of road traffic accidents in
gaushala chabahil intersection through targeted prevention measures, improved road safety
education, and the promotion of strong safety culture among all road users. It will involve
infrastructure enhancements, increased law enforcement presence, and comprehensive public
education campaigns. The recent escalation in traffic-related fatalities and injuries in Kathmandu
has highlighted a critical need for increased road safety measures. High-speed driving, disregard
for traffic regulations, lack of pedestrian facilities, and poor road conditions have been identified
as major contributing factors. This project seeks to address these issues through a comprehensive
approach that ensures all road users are aware of, and adhere to, safe practices while improving
the traffic environment.

Study Area
The eight-lane Kathmandu Ring Road surrounds the cities of Lalitpur and Kathmandu. KRR has
been classified as National Highway code NH42. As a vital transportation hub in the Kathmandu
Valley, it facilitates travel between several parts of the city. The study is focused on the
Gaushala, Chabahil, Gyaneshwor and Battisputali intersection in Kathmandu, which is crucial
intersection connecting to the bustling tourist destination, Pashupatinath Temple as shown in fig.
One of the most crowded cities in the world today is Kathmandu. Unfortunately, the
infrastructure for managing traffic on the roads has not kept up with the population development,
which has led to ongoing congestion, especially at intersections.
Scope and Limitations
This research provides a targeted and thorough analysis of traffic dynamics, safety concerns, and
possible fixes. This analysis's scope can be expanded to include different aspects and approaches,
providing thorough insights that can be applied to other intersections or more extensive traffic
management plans. It functions as a microcosm for comprehending the dynamics of traffic safety
more broadly and creating focused, empirically supported solutions that can be expanded upon
and modified for use in many circumstances.

Although, this study can offer valuable insights, there can be some limitations to it. Over time,
changes in traffic volume, road conditions, and municipal policies may make the conclusions
outdated. The quality of data analysis may be impacted by restricted access to cutting-edge
technologies and tools for traffic analysis.