Estimation of Person-Kilometers of Travel in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Person Kilometers of Travel (PKT) provides all trip information of an individual including trips by motorized, non-motorized, public or informal public transport modes. Estimating PKT in developing countries seems much important as PKT is one of key parameters in transport planning and policy making. Since PKT focuses on an individual, it is influenced by socio demography of the person. However, timely PKT is not estimated by relevant agencies of Sri Lanka. The study focused on estimating PKT in Sri Lanka with travel mode distributions. A paper-based travel survey was conducted over all administrative districts in Sri Lanka for collecting trip information and socio demographic factors of people. 9,012 people participated in surveys resulting a 77.62% response rate. Respondents were asked to provide information of their trips in a typical week, in special holidays and seasons, information on travel modes and their socio demographic information. Data obtained from surveys were aggregated to annual level and weighted in order to obtain PKT/person/year under each socio demographic category. Weightages were estimated using census data in each administrative district. The study came up with important findings; weighted PKT estimations and travel mode distributions in each administrative district. Further, statistical comparisons of PKT estimates among different socio demographic groups and districts were conducted using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. These findings were key contributions to the existing literature in the country.