1. Transport Network in Riga (Latvia): State, Problems and Perspectives
Irina Yatskiv
Elena Yurshevich
Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TTI)
Riga, Latvia
COST 355: WG2

2. Contents Latvia and Riga: State of the Art
Problems of Riga Transport System
Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development
Participation of TTI in the Riga TS Development Projects
Conclusions
My reports will be devoted to the Riga TS problems and perspectives of its development. Firstly, I’ll focus your attention to the Riga TS contemporary state, will be dscussed the problems and their reasons, and then will pay devote your attention to the perspectives of our TS development, will be discussed our projects and a little bit will be pay thr attention to the TTI participants in the Riga TS development projects.

3. 1. Basic Facts about Latvia
Population: 2.3 million
GDP: billion LVL
GDP per capita: Euro
Firstly, I’d like to say a little bit about Latvia in general and the role of Riga, in particular. The total Latvian population number is about 2.3 million inhabitants. The GDP in 2006 was about biilion Ls. Riga is a Capital of Latvia .
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

4. 1. Structure of Economics by Added Value
The Transport Sector occupies a big part of Latvian economics (15.6%). That is why Latvia is the transit country and this is our important advantage. But the level of TS development is in critical situation. It is especially important taking into account the role of TS in our economics.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

5. Latvia and Riga: State of the Art
Latvia is the place of intersection of the main European Transport corridors. Through the country passes such transport corridor as VIA Baltika, which connects the Finland with Lithuania and Poland, ChR, the Transport corridor which connects Sweden and Russia, and Latvia with Poland. Also there exist the railway corridors and the sea corridors. And I’d like to attract your attention to the fact, that the most part of corridors pass through the Latvian Capital Riga.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

6. Latvia and Riga: State of the Art
1. Riga is the Intersection Place of the Main European Transport Corridors
On this map you can see the Road intersection through Riga, the traffic intensity is increasing near Riga because of the intersection of all the main roads in the capital. We have a big transit through the Riga which additionally complicates the Riga TS.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

7. 1. Agglomeration of Riga City
So, what does Riga represent itself? You can see the map of Riga and the ranges of Riga agglomeration. There the inner zone and outer zone are picked out (orange and yellow color of territory). The red line outlines the present border of Riga and its satellites, but in fact Riga has extensive development tendency, and the predicted Riga agglomeration border was outlined by the purple line . The whole number of inhabitants is about 1 million, that is approximately the half of the Latvian population number.
In fact: 45% of agglomeration inhabitants made the everyday trips in Riga. The main reasons: Riga is developing and recreation and entertainment. 54% of GDP is in Riga and 55% of international investment is concentrated there.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

8. 1. Riga Development Indexes
Riga Development Indices
Percent of the Latvian Development Index
(2005 year)
Inhabitants Number
32%
Number of Economically Active Inhabitants
40%
GDP
54%
Industrial Output
53%
Wholesale Trade Rotation
80%
Retailment Rotation
60%
Foreign Investment
55%
Foreign Tourists Number
57%
this slide presentes the list of Riga Development Indices, more precisely, the contribution of Riga Development level to the whole Latvian development indices. You may see, that Riga plays the important role in the Latvian economics.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

9. This is Riga sight from the height of birds’ flight
This is Riga sight from the height of birds’ flight. As you may see, Riga is situated on the both banks of Daugava. The banks of river are connected by 4 bridges: one for railway and 3 - for vehicles. The whole area is about hectares, land – hectares. The Centre of Riga is included into the Unesco list of national patrimony.

10. Riga Area Zone Division Latvia and Riga: State of the Art
The Territory of Riga is divided into 124 zones which are located on the both river banks. But, we should mention, that the distribution of the population density is even.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

11. 1. Riga Population Density Distribution
Density of the Job Places
Population Density
I can emphasize that there exists the disbalance of Riga inhabitants mobility. That is why the bedroom community settles in the outskirts of Riga, but the main job places are settled in the centre.
Bedroom community
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

12. 1. Types of Public Transport in Riga
Buses
Trolleybuses
Trams
Minibuses
Railways
As concerns the public transport conveyances Riga uses buses, trolleybuses, Trams, Minibuses. It is noted that the railway is not completely used in Riga.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

13. Latvia and Riga: State of the Art
The survey showed that Riga population mostly prefer travelling by foot, Public transport and personal cars. As Concerns municipal transport, people prefer trolleybuses, busses and trams. The main advantage of buses is the wide covering of transport network. Minibuses became popular because the their routes go through the city outskirts which are not covered by the public transport lines.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

14. 1. Riga TS Development Indexes
Communication Intensity on the Bridges over the Daugava
Passengers Number in Public Transport
The Number of Inhabitants in Riga
The Level of Motorization
The Number of Vehicles
This slide presents Riga TS development Indices. In spite of the fact, that the inhabitants number is seriously decreased during the last 10 years, the number of private vehicles is considerably increased. This fact has an influence on TS congestion, especially it has influenced on the Bridges intensity,
It was increased the motorization level to.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

15. 1. Dynamics of Motorization Level in Riga
During the last 10 years number of private cars was increased by a factor of You may see the dynamics of inhabitants number, which is a little bit decreased, and the dynamics of motorization level, which is approximately twice increased. The motorization level is about 304 vehicles per 1000 persons. In fact, the growth on GDP is lower than the growth of motorization level (GDP is 9.7% and Motorization level – 11.7%), and in the nearest future it will be grow the same way.
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

16. 1. Dynamics of Cargo Flow Increasing
This diagram illustrates the dynamics of cargo flow. In the Last 10 years the turnover of the cargo was increased two times and, of course, this fact has a big influence onto the TS loading. Taking into account all these facts we may pick out the following problems…
Latvia and Riga: State of the Art

17. 2. Problems of Riga Transport System

18. 2. Problems of Riga Transport System
Overloading of some Transport System Zones:
Bridges Branch-lines
Railway Crossing
Crossroads
Firstly, I’d like to point out that We have some overloaded TS zones. There exists overloaded bridges branch-lines. Because of the fact that railway passes through the city, we have big problems with railway passing. There are not enough the railway bridges and a big number the railway crossings causes the vehicles congestions on the streets, of course, the overloading of crossroads and traffic jam.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

19. 2. Riga Crossroads Loading Levels
On this slide you can see the characteristics of some city crossroads. They were classified by the ICU standard. The red rings demonstrate the mostly loaded crossroads. Some of them are on the bridge branch-lines.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

20. 2. Problems of Riga Transport System
2. A lot of Accidents
As a result we have a lot of accidents. This is unpleasant factor for us.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

21. 2. Distribution of Traffic Accidents
You may see the distribution of accidents on this slide. The places, where the number of accidents is more than 150 during the last 5 years were marked with purple points. The red points – 100 – 150 accidents, the rose – 50 – 100. Of course, the most dangerous places are near the bridges and on the overloaded road intersections.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

22. 2. Problems of Riga Transport System
3. Growth of Environment Pollution
Thirstily, we have the increasing number of pollution caused by traffic jams.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

23. Pollution Level of Riga Environment
NO2 CO
You may see that the most part of pollution is in the centre of Riga, as well as the number of overloaded crossroads. What are the reasons of these problems?
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

24. 2. Reasons of Appearing Riga Transport System Problems
Stare-shaped Type of Riga Transport Communication of:
Public transport
Private transport
Cargo transport
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

25. Star-shaped Type of Public Transport System
Trolleybus & Tram
Bus
This slide illustrates the existing public transport communication topology. As you may see they look as stars. In the centre of these stars there are the bridges and the most past of loading falls on them.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

26. Main Traffic Flows (Private Vehicles and Public Transport)
This slide illustrates the distribution of the main traffic flows (private vehicles and public transport). Obviously, one third part of traffic is in the center, the second part falls on bridges.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

27. 2. Reasons of Appearing Riga Transport System Problems
2. Absence of highways by-pass for cargo and transit traffic
This fact has a very negative influence on the TS loading and ecological situation in Riga.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

28. Main Traffic Flows (Cargo Transport)
Unfortunately, the most part of cargo flow falls on the centre of Riga and load the bridges.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

29. Distribution of Cargo Traffic in the Riga Boundary
This problem is connected with the non-optimal TS Infrastructure planning and with the fact that Riga has a sea port. For example, 32% of cargo flow is connected with the port.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

30. During my report I have mentioned the information connected with bridges for several times. You may see the situation with loading TS and bridges as it was in 2005 year.
2005

31. Obviously, the most important bottle neck of TS is on the bridges
Obviously, the most important bottle neck of TS is on the bridges. The prediction was made about the growth of traffic in 2015.
2015

32. 2. Reasons of Appearing Riga Transport System Problems
3. Fragmentary character of existing highways and main roads
Further,
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

33. 2. Problems of Riga Transport System
You may see that some parts of TS ways change their characteristics. The highway is transformed to the simple roads, then is transformed to the highway once again. Some of the roads are not completely equipped.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

34. 2. Reasons of Appearing Riga Transport System Problems
4. Capacity limitation of branch-lines at the centre
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

35. On these photos you can see the typical situation on one of the important streets in Riga. This is the typical condition for the morning and evening peak hours.

36. 2. Reasons of Appearing Riga Transport System Problems
5. Absence of municipal programme of Parking Place Construction
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

37. 2.Reasons of Appearing Riga Transport System Problems
6. Absence of the unified transport mode for the out-of-town transport delays the economic and logistic development
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

38. 2. Deterrents of Riga TS Development
Deterioration of TS at the Centre
Necessity of big capital investments into the railway and Daugava bridges
Absence of the programmes of systematic survey
Because of the fact that Riga is the old city with big history and a lot of architecture monuments, it is not possible to make the reconstruction of TS roads at the centre, but the Old City is closed for traffic, at all. That is why we have a serious limitation of TS capacity at the centre. And of course, the serious deterrent of TS development is the absence of the systematic survey. Municipal or government programmes of survey realizing are completely absent.
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

39. 2. Survey Chronology in Riga
1996 – transport correspondence (by telephone) and cargo traffic intensity survey
1997 – transport correspondence (by telephone) and parking places
2000 – transport correspondence and public transport survey
2000 – bridges traffic intensity survey
2002 – survey of tram passenger correspondence (SYSTRA&TTI)
2003 – passengers and cargo cars intensity survey
2004 – Riga Transport System Loading Survey
2. Problems of Riga Transport System

40. 3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

41. 3. Riga TS Development Main Conception
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

42. 3. Main Strategy of Riga TS Development
Riga South Bridge Building
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

43. South Bridge 3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development
Stages of South Bridge Building
Length, km
Time
1-st Stage (Bauska street - Slavu Railway Bridge)
2.5
2-d Stage (Slavu Bridge Reconstruction - Slavu multilayer flyover building) 1
3-d Stage (Vienibas avenua - Bauska street)
4.5
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

44. 3. Main Strategy of Riga TS Development
Riga South Bridge
Riga Northern Transport Corridor
Riga Northern Transport Corridor (Northern Corridor) is the largest transportation infrastructure project in Riga over the last decades. The Goal of the project - to create new transit highway through the city in the west-east direction bypassing the historical centre of the city.
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

45. 3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development
Characteristics of the project:
- Approximate length of the road: ~ 24 km
- Planned project costs: ~ 910 mio EUR
- Project preparation has been started in December 2005
- Planned start of construction: 2009
- Planned end of construction: 2018
Northern Corridor will be linked with the state road system through good connections to the existing roads. In the west it will be connected with the Riga - Jurmala highway close to the Babite village. In the east it will be connected with the Vidzeme highway near Bergi. Northern Corridor will be integrated into the street network of Riga with more than 10 multilevel crossings. The new highway will cross the 0,8 km wide Daugava River.
Northern Corridor will include Riga Port into the Trans-European Transport Network and will improve the competitivity of Latvian East-West transport corridor. As a result of the project there will be easier access to the UNESCO World Heritage monument - Riga Historical Centre. This large scale project will provide tempting opportunities for construction industry, developers, processing industry, transport logistics and other branches of economy thus further increasing the importance of Riga as Baltic metropolis as well as for the development of Latvian economy.
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

46. 3. Main Strategy of Riga TS Development
Riga South Bridge Building
Riga Northern Transport Corridor Building
Riga Park&Ride System Building
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

47. 3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development
The plans of Riga development envisage the creation of the zone at the centre where only public transport traffic will be allowed and automobiles parking places will be located in the near-by streets. The modernization of the public structure transport and the introduction of the low-floor trams will help to realise this project.
В планах развития предусмотрено создания в центре Риги зоны, в которой будет разрешено только движения общественного транспорта, в прилегающей к ней територии будут созданы парковочные места для автомобилей. Для реализации этого проекта предусматривается также модернизации структуры общественного транспорта, также рассматриваются проекта введения низких напольных трамваев.
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

48. 3. Main Strategy of Riga TS Development
Riga South Bridge Building
Riga Northern Transport Corridor Building
Riga Park&Ride System Building
New Administrative Centre Building
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

49. 3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development
The Plans of the development of Riga transport system envisage the development of the left bank of the Daugava with the new administrative centre on it. The main aim of the project is to lower the congestion of the transport system of Riga Centre and to concentrate different municipal administrative and business structures at the one place to simplify the communication between them. In the process of building the centre, new bridge will be constructed and Pardaugava TS will be reconstructed. Our Institute took part in several projects connected with the reconstruction of the Pardaugava territory.
В планах развития транспортной системы Риги планруется развитие левого берега Даугавы и создания на нам нового административного центра. Главнай цель проекта заключается в том, что разгрузить транспортную систему Центра Риги а также сконцентрировать в одном месте различные административные и бизнес структуры города для оптимизации сообщений между ними. При построение этого центра предусмотрено строительство нового моста, реконструкцию существующей ТС в Пардаугаве, а также перенос на данную територию Международнного автовокзала. Наш Институт принимал участие в нескольких проектах, связанных с реализацией общего проекта реконструкции територии в Пардаугаве.
3. Perspectives of Riga Transport System Development

50. 4. Participation of TTI in the Riga TS Development Projects

51. 4. Participation of TTI in the Project of Riga TS Reconstruction
Modelling of New Coach-Terminal Terminal in Pardaugava
Modelling of Pardaugava TS “Bottle-neck” (The Crossroad Uzvaras street – Ranka Avenue – Slokas Street)
4. Participance of TTI in the Riga TS Development Projects

52. Model of New Coach-Terminal
The model of the new Pardaugava Coach-terminal was realized by means of the professional immitation VISSIM Package. The main aim was to analyze the new bus station capabilities to provide the contemporary demand in the bus trip services. There were analyzed the capacity of a bus station in normal mode and maximum traffic intensity mode on the model, investigated the impact of a number and geometrical layout of sites on the embarkation and debarkation, site for bus parking on the capacity of the bus station. As a Result There are realized 2 models: evening and morning loading of bus station
It has been determined the proper number of debarkation and embarkation platforms and their layout

53. 4. Participance of TTI in the Riga TS Development Projects
Modelling of Pardaugava TS “Bottle-neck” (Crossroad Uzvaras street – Ranka Avenue – Slokas Street)
4. Participance of TTI in the Riga TS Development Projects

54. 5. Conclusions
Contemporary state of Riga TS needs the global reconstruction and optimisation
Negative influence of National Survey absence
Necessity to apply the contemporary telematics units for data collection
Necessity to involve modelling at all the stages of TS designing and optimisation
Certainly, the contemporary Riga TS state is unsatisfactory.

55. Source of Information The Plan of Riga Development 2006 – 2018 year:
Riga Duma, Department of Riga Development
Ltd IMink
Statistical Reports about Latvian Development
Report of the TTI Project “New Coach-Terminal Dimulation”
Report of the TTI Project “Pardaugava TS Node Simulation”

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