LA LUCIA RIDGE AND UMHLANGA RIDGE
CHAPTER 5 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF QUESTIONNAIRES
5.4. QUESTION 4: POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS PART 1
Question four in the questionnaire was designed to test the possible public transport and urban design solutions which were uncovered in the precedent studies in Chapter Three.
5.4.1. ANALYSIS OF QUESTION 4
The first question in this section asked if it would be useful to link all decentralised office nodes by means of a public transport system which runs through residential areas.
5.4.1.1. ‘YES’ to Linking Decentralised Office Nodes with Public Transport 79% of the respondents said ‘YES’, it would be useful to link all decentralised office nodes by means of a public transport system. The following were their comments:
• More people would use public transport therefore it would ease congestion on the roads (26% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Cost effective to user (16% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Effective use of resources (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• It must be quick, convenient, and have somewhere to park one’s car (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Save on petrol and upkeep costs on private cars (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• I would be very happy to use a train (5% of respondents who answered
“yes”)
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Table 5: Possible modes of public transport.
• People would be able to go to work with no fear of being late (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Public transport would replace private transport (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Less road maintenance (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Less accidents (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Must be reliable – can be relaxing as opposed to stressful (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Environmentally friendly due to less cars on the roads (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• This works in other developed countries in the world (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• Convenient to get to work (5% of respondents who answered “yes”)
• One could choose a convenient route without having to travel into the city and then out again as we have now (5% of respondents who answered “yes”) 5.4.1.2. ‘NO’ to Linking Decentralised Office Nodes with Public Transport
21% of the respondents did not think it would be useful to link all decentralised office nodes by public transport. The following were their comments:
• Decentralisation has happened for a reason. People must travel by any means available
• Low interconnection is required. Every employee goes home to office.
Probably one in 50 employees go office to office
• Roads are already congested
• It may waste one’s time and money 5.4.1.3. Possible Modes of Public Transport
In the questionnaire the 79% of respondents who thought linking the decentralised office nodes by means of public transport were given the option to choose between three (3) possible modes of public transport which were taken from the precedent studies in Chapter 3. Table 5 illustrates the results:
Fast Rail Link Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Light Rail Transit (LRT)
37% 26% 37%
Some respondents provided reasons for their choice.
Page | 145 The first respondent chose the Fast Rail Link because, although it is probably the most expensive option, it will allow for larger economic growth.
The second respondent chose the Bus Rapid Transit because Durban’s topography and infrastructure is better suited to road than rail.
The third respondent chose the Light Rail Transit for its larger volumes and the fact that it would function on a system independent of the congested road network, thereby making it more efficient.
The fourth respondent said that he would ideally choose the Light Rail Transit, but said it would be a major initial expense. The respondent changed his answer to the Bus Rapid Transit “if it is as efficient as European systems.”
The fifth and final comment on this question was that a combination of the Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit would be most effective.
5.4.1.4. Controlling Urban Sprawl
Respondents were asked if they thought that densifying residential and office
development along existing major routes in order to maximise the efficiency of public transport would slow the rate at which Durban is growing geographically.
Yes No Unsure
8% 75% 17%
The feedback from this question is quite stark. The respondents strongly felt that densifying major routes in order to maximise the efficiency of public transport would not slow the rate at which Durban is growing geographically.
A respondent who answered ‘no’ left a comment: not significantly. I don’t think availability of public transport influences developers’ decision as to position of new office parks etc.
A respondent who answered ‘yes’ left a comment: there is only so much space one can utilise.
5.4.2. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This section showed some interesting results from the questionnaire. 79% of
respondents said ‘YES’ to linking Durban’s decentralised office nodes by means of a public transport system.
Table 6: Verdict on densifying existing major routes.
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Table 7: Verdict on choosing to work in a ‘town centre’ which is located close to home with work opportunities.
37% of the abovementioned chose a Fast Rail Link as the mode of transport they would implement, 26% chose the Bus Rapid Transit and 37% chose the Light Rail Transit. Some respondents suggested a combination of the Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit systems whilst other said that road-based transport would better suit Durban’s topography and infrastructure.
When asked whether densifying existing major routes in order to maximise the efficiency of public transport in order to slow the rate at which Durban is growing geographically, respondents strongly disagreed.