Development Sustainable Urban Freight Index for Fruit Vegetable Markets :

Abstract

With the increase in population and changing consumption patterns, urban freight has become a topic of concern today. Although sustainability is widely discussed in the context of passenger modes, freight transport, besides being a neglected sector of the probe, has hardly seen any initiatives or strategies for its sustainable operation in Indian cities. Aimed at creating a measurable tool for sustainable urban freight in the context of a developing environment like India, this thesis is an attempt to develop a sustainable urban freight index (SUFI) in the context of fruits and vegetable markets in a metropolitan city. The SUFI index developed for various markets was analyzed in terms of five pillars of sustainability (Environment, Economy, Social, Planning, and Policy) to highlight the area of concern for future F&V market planning. As part of this effort, the horizon year population and freight F&V tonnage were forecasted for the horizon year index, which was also calculated for the horizon year. Many primary surveys have been conducted in 8 case study fruit and vegetable markets spread in Bhopal. In addition, a primary survey of experts and academicians has been conducted to decide the weights for various indicators of the SUFI using the Analytical Hierarchy Method. Further, a citizen perception survey has also been conducted in the residential areas adjoining the mandis to understand the underlying issues faced due to the presence of F& V mandis. Additionally, a mobile application-based noise survey was also conducted to perceive the noise impact of the fruits and vegetable markets. Extensive data analysis was carried out to understand the issues faced at each level of the fruit and vegetable market. An impact analysis of case markets on the bounding network was carried out along with the identification of time-based hotspots in different parts of the Zone of Bhopal. The SUFI index developed for various markets was analyzed in terms of five pillars of sustainability (Environment, Economy, Social, Planning, and Policy) to highlight the area of concern for future F&V market planning. As part of this effort, the horizon year population and freight F&V tonnage were forecasted for the horizon year index, which was also calculated for the horizon year. Time-based alternate scenarios were created to check the change in the SUFI index values for different markets based on which short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies and desired actions were evaluated leading to an improved value of SUFI compared to the BAU scenario. Requite improved infrastructure has been identified and planning guidelines and norms for siting new mandis and facility development have been recommended. Based on the evaluation, strategies have been proposed for short-term, medium-term, and long-term for all tier markets. Additionally, general recommendations on technology-based management strategies along with the potential use of an Intelligent transport system in the action plan to augment sustainable operations in the mandis have been provided.