Assessing pedestrian facilities along Jinja Road, Mukono Town- Uganda

Abstract

Jinja highway traverses Mukono Central Division attracting huge volumes of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The purpose of carrying out this research was to establish provision, usability, and pedestrian experiences and challenges while using pedestrian facilities along Jinja Highway and propose implementable strategies to improve pedestrian environment along Jinja Highway. The research adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Sampling was employed with majorly purposive and random sampling techniques in the selection of respondents. Data collection was generated through questionnaires issued to pedestrians, face to face interviews targeting key informants, direct observation and photography which involved taking live pictures. High traffic volumes during the peak hour periods, little sidewalk coverage, lack of overhead pedestrian bridges, lack of Zebra crossings all contribute to undesirable pedestrian experience. The implications of this are two-fold. First, unsafe walking conditions expose town residents to accidents that the jeopardize health and well-being of pedestrians after sustaining injuries that at times result into incapacities and death; Secondly inadequate pedestrian facilities contribute to a reduction in the overall walking trips made especially for various purposes like education, leisure, shopping and commuting purposes. Pedestrian facilities provision in Mukono Town along Jinja highway is still a challenge thus recommend that at the design stage of new transport infrastructure such as roads, inclusive pedestrian facilities such as walkways and Zebra crossings should be prioritized. Also, the Town authorities and central government should partner in implementing the newly introduced NMT policy in pedestrianizing the Town. In conclusion the results that reflect inadequate facilities can be used as a consideration for authorities to increase pedestrian facilities hence improve pedestrian environment in town along highway.