The urban population in india has been growing rapidly. Althoughthe present levels of urbanization are low compared with those of the developed countries, it is estimated that by the turn of the century 35% of the total population in india will be living in urban areas. The number of cities with a population of 0.1 Million and greater will increase from 216 in 1981 to 423 by 2001. Cities are growing in size, resulting in more complex transportation problems. Motor vehicle ownership levels, which vary considerably from city to city, are generally low. A considerable proportion of urban population depends on nonmotorized modes for transportation. To improve the transport infrastructure, transportation studies should be conducted in indian cities of all sizes so that more realistic transportation plans can be prepared in keeping with the prevalent socioeconomic environment. Greater attention has to be paid to nonmotorized modes, pedestrians, and poorer sections of society, which form a majority of the urban residents. This paper appears in transportation research recordno. 1294, Nonmotorized transportation 1991 .
Abstract