APPLICATION OF FUZZY TECHNIQUE FOR SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATION OF TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS DURING CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The most widely accepted concept of sustainability as defined during the Bruntland Commission in 1987 is “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The goals of providing sustainable features in the design and construction of transportation corridor in an Urban Environment are to minimise impacts on the environmental resources, consumption of material resources, energy consumption, encourage the use of new and innovative approaches, enhance the historic, scenic and aesthetic context and integrate into the community in a way that helps to preserve and enhance community life, encourage community involvement in the transportation planning process, encourage integration of non-motorized means of transportation and finally find a balance between what is important to the community, to the natural environment and is economically sound. These 3 Parameters i.e. social, economic and environmental are most commonly accepted as three pillars of sustainability. In this research, Sustainability indicators of a transportation corridor during construction in an urban environment have been identified and detailed out. The research has been made on a 3.2 Kms long elevated road project under construction from Vikaspuri to Meerabagh in West Delhi by PWD and Metro rail elevated corridor (part) from Punjabi Bagh to Mayapuri as a part of phase 3, line 7 by DMRC. During the research study made at both sites in the midst of the construction period, it was identified that Sustainability of these transportation corridors during the construction stage is just not limited to three Pillars, but in actually much beyond that. Every activity or any Project is to be looked into right perspective to understand its relevance to all those it matters. Transportation Corridor is a field which, during its operational stage, can affect the life in every area varying from education sector, all kinds of commercial activities, availing of medical amenities or say movement of the public at large for any purpose they wish. viii It is not only the operation stage, but the construction stage also makes an impact on the residents living nearby as well as on the commuters passing through the corridor on the diverted route. Both these members of society are subjected to Air Pollution, Noise Pollution, water pollution, and increase in travel time besides Health and Safety concerns. Environment faces irreversible degradation besides other adverse impacts on the number of directly or indirectly related issues. Various Sustainability Indicators during the construction stage as identified for an elevated transportation corridor and thereafter classified under various categories is covered in this research. A comparative study on the above mentioned sites (of PWD and DMRC), during construction under identical urban environment, was conveyed to evaluate the sustainability of these sites, using fuzzy logic, so that the site more sustainable based on identified sustainability indicators is known. Methodology and result of the study are also discussed in this research.