1. Project Name: Traffic Volume and O/D Survey for Logistics Master Plan

2. Duration:  June 2023 - August 2023

3. Background:

Landlocked Laos, situated on the Indochina Peninsula and bordered by five GMS countries, has the potential to become a regional logistics hub, particularly in its southwestern Champasak Province, which adjoins Thailand and Cambodia. Champasak's capital, Pakse, sits at the intersection of National Highways 13 and 16, but faces increasing traffic congestion due to rising freight and passenger volumes. This is compounded by the Mekong River bisecting the province, with the two-lane Lao-Nippon Bridge as the sole river crossing, creating a bottleneck for freight traffic and highlighting the need for additional bridges. While roads are Laos' primary transportation mode, its approximately 8,000 kilometers of national highways are often narrow and poorly maintained. Recognizing the importance of infrastructure for economic growth, Laos prioritizes road development, especially national highways, as a foundation for economic activity. To this end, the Department of Public Works and Transport has secured a logistics terminal site and completed the design review for the connecting road, which will initially be unpaved. 

4. Client: Korea Engineering Consultants Corp. (KECC)

5. Government Counterpart: Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Public Works and Transport of Champasak Province

6. ERA's Contribution & Scope:

1. Traffic Volume Counts:

   • Quantify the volume and composition of traffic at critical points within the study area.

   • Conduct classified vehicle counts, categorizing vehicles by type (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles).

   • Collect data at designated locations (e.g., major intersections, arterial roads, bridges, key logistics hubs).

   • Record traffic volumes at specific time intervals (e.g., 15-minute intervals) to capture peak and off-peak traffic patterns.

   • Determine the hours of the counts based on the location. 24 hours for bridges, peak times for intersections, and a general 12 hour period for urban streets.

   • Detailed traffic volume data, including vehicle counts by type and time of day, presented in tabular and graphical formats.

2. Origin-Destination (O/D) Surveys:

   • Determine the origins and destinations of freight and passenger trips, as well as the purpose of these trips.

   • Conduct roadside interviews or distribute questionnaires at strategic locations (e.g., border crossings, logistics centers, major road junctions).

   • Collect data on:

1. Vehicle type and cargo carried.

2. Trip origin and destination.

3. Trip purpose (e.g., freight delivery, business travel, personal travel).

4. Number of passengers.

2. • Determine the hours of interviews to capture a large quantity of data, such as 15 hours from 7am to 10pm.

   • O/D matrices, trip purpose distributions, and other relevant data, providing insights into freight and passenger movement patterns.

7. Summary

From June to August 2023, a Traffic Volume and Origin-Destination (O/D) Survey was conducted to support the development of a Logistics Master Plan for Champasak Province, Laos. Recognizing Laos' potential as a regional logistics hub, particularly in the strategically located Champasak Province, the survey aimed to address increasing traffic congestion and improve freight movement. With KECC as the client and the DPWT-CPS as the government counterpart, ERA undertook the survey. This involved quantifying traffic volume and composition through classified vehicle counts at key locations, including urban streets, intersections, and the critical Lao-Nippon Bridge. Additionally, O/D surveys were conducted via roadside interviews to determine trip origins, destinations, and purposes, providing crucial data on freight and passenger movement patterns. The findings will inform infrastructure development, including road improvements and the potential construction of additional bridges, to enhance logistics efficiency in the region.