SAMPLE RESEARCH PROPOSAL (for example only)

Title:

ENERGY WASTAGE AND HEALTH HAZRD FROM TRAFFIC CONGESTATION OF DHAKA CITY

1. Problem:

Dhaka city has one of the worst traffic congestion conditions in the whole world. There are
numerous vehicles plying the narrow streets, some of which are manually driven while
others are motor driven. The flyovers, under-pass, elevated roads, underground commuter
systems, common in many of the world’s metropolis are absent in Dhaka. The road – city
area ratio is utterly low by any standard. The time of offices, schools, markets are
unsynchronized. Existence of both slow and fast moving transports add to the miseries of
the city commuters. Productive time of the commuters is wasted in traffic jam. Wastage of
fuel expenditure like petroleum, diesel, CNG is also enormous. Lastly there is
environmental pollution arising from motorized traffic. This is manifested in various
diseases like heart ailments, skin-diseases, etc. for the city dwellers. Therefore it is very
pertinent that a thorough research on solving traffic congestion be immediately undertaken.

2. Objective of the study

Manifold benefits will emerge from the research. First, the government will recognize the
urgency of solving the traffic congestion problem. The concerned authorities will take up
measures like improving road connectivity, re-fixation of office, school and market timing
etc. in a manner to control wastage of energy. Health measures required to combat adverse
effect of carbon-di-oxide from the traffic jam etc will get priority.

3. Research Hypothesis to be tested

a. Traffic congestion is causing wastage of energy

resources like petroleum, diesel, CNG.

b. More judicious timing of offices, schools, markets etc.

will have a positive effect on traffic jam and hence on
health.

c. There is unawareness about the damaging effect of air

pollution on health.

4. Sampling design

Multi-stage sampling procedure will be followed. In the first stage 20 areas within Dhaka
city which have most traffic jam like Jatrabari, Saidabad, Gulistan, Paltan, Karail,
Malibagh, Mogbazar, Bangla motor, Farmgate, Mohakhali, Mirpur circle Gabtali, Banana
crossing, Abdullahpur, Sadarghat, Nawabpur crossing, Nayabazar, New market, Russel
square, Shyamoli crossing will be selected.

In the second stage, 100 individuals/ residents will be selected so that individuals /residents
belonging to areas which have most traffic jam will have more probability of inclusion in

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the sample. Prior information about traffic jam intensity available from existing study will
be used as a guide.

Area 1 Area
20
Index of
Traffic
Jam
Cumulative
Index
Selected
sample

Data to be collected:

1. Wastage of Energy Data:

Observational technique – Hours/Minutes of waiting for
each of the modes of transport like buses, micro-buses,
cars, etc.

2. Fuel usages per hour by each of the modes of transport

3 Perception of local residents regarding air pollution

4 Type and nature of health hazards from air pollution

Analysis to be Done

1. Description of traffic congestion

 Pie-chart on different kinds of vessels passing through the area during peak and off-
peak periods.

 Bar-chart on change in vehicles movement from off-peak to peak periods

2. Chi square test to see difference in perception by male and female residents

High health Risk Low Health risk

Male
Female

3. Regression Analysis

Waiting Time = Function of no. of cars

Waiting Time = Function of no. of buses
Waiting Time = Function of no. of microbuses/jeeps

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4. Correlation test

Correlation between carbon-di-oxide emission and number of vehicles

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Calculation of Energy Wastage:

Average waiting time for cars x Fuel usage per hour/minute etc