Identification of necessity behind the construction of the third Shitalakhya bridge based on level of service (LOS) measurement parameters applicable for developing countries

With the expansion of industrial activities in developing countries like Bangladesh, the purchase of motorized vehicles is also growing in recent days. This increased number of motorized vehicles is creating massive pressure on the logistic movement in industrial areas, and the performance level of roadways is deteriorating day by day. It has become quite difficult to meet the need for a reliable transportation system that can provide good compatibility for road users and logistical operations. Kanchpur Industrial Area can be classified as an industrial hub of Narayanganj District due to the presence of jute trading and plant processing industries. Over the years two bridges have been constructed in the proximity of this area named, the Kanchpur Bridge and Sultana Kamal Bridge to decrease the pressure on N2 National Highway; however, the situation is still not satisfactory and construction of a third bridge over the Shitalakhya River is under consideration by the Government of Bangladesh (GOB). Dhaka-Sylhet Highway is a section of the N2 National Highway system which connects the industrial district Kanchpur with Dhaka City. The main objectives of the study were to develop a methodology which can be used to measure the Level of Service (LOS) of roadways located in developing countries and use it to understand the necessity of the construction of the third Shitalakhya Bridge. LOS measurement procedures suitable for developed countries are not useable for developing countries due to the difference in road geometry, presence of non-motorized vehicles, and control delay at intersections. A procedure has been developed to measure LOS by combining standards of the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh, India; Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), USA; and Roads and Highway Department (RHD), Bangladesh. LOS measurement was based on four parameters: Peak Hour Factor (PHF), Travel Speed, Load Factor, and Volume/Capacity Ratio (VCR). The data analysis shows that the LOS value of the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway varies within the range from “E" to “F", and construction of the third Shitalakhya Bridge will significantly improve the roadway condition.