Recommendations  Made  at  the Concluding Session of the 
Road Stakeholders Workshop (at Islamabad on 18th January 2001

1.   To gradually move NHA from a Highway Development / Road Construction Agency mindset towards a Network Operator / Service Provider role, with greater emphasis towards customer focus.

2.   Establish feedback mechanism to enable regular interaction with road users, and meaningful civil society participation at all levels, in all aspects of NHA’s work; (annual consultations facilitation by ARUP). Each regional GM of NHA should initiate a consultation process every 3 months involving journalist and representatives of road user. An NGO like  ARUP should be asked to facilitate this process.

     At each meeting a report regarding progress achieved during the last  3

     months will be presented by NHA.

3.   Establish complaint registers (or public dealing counters) at NHA regional offices, where road users are able to provide constructive feedback on highway operation areas needing improvement.

A complaints register should be established on the ARUP website, the contents of which shall be conveyed to the concerned department in NHA.

4.   NHA should prepare and publish an Annual Road Agency report in public domain – to inform the general public about NHA activities and accomplishments.

     This should be placed on the NHA website

5.    Include civil society member / Road User representatives in the NHA Board and / or Road Fund Board to ensure broader participation in decision  - making

6.    Studies should be conducted by NHA / ARUP for determining the transport needs of special road user groups. These studies should be conducted periodically as deemed necessary.

7.    In order to collect customer feedback a questionnaire form should be developed and provided by NHA to road users while entering a toll plaza and collected at the exit point.

8.    Introduce the standardization for

• Construction
• Maintenance
• Contractor’s Pre-qualification Criteria
• Pavement Performance
• Evaluation of Performance of Contractors, Consultants and Government Agency

9.   There should be a healthy balance between Construction and Maintenance-allocation of Resources and Channeling of Funds. The Tolling Revenues must be used for maintenance.

10. Under the fee-for-service concept the toll rate should be commensurate with
      the road facility provided and the damage caused.

11. Substantial proportion of toll revenue collection should be used within the
      same area from where the toll revenue is generated.

12. Maintenance and improvement of existing highways should be given priority rather than new construction.

13.  Strict enforcement of Axle Load Control must be observed.

14.  Maintenance of roads must start from day one after construction as per international practice.

15.  All newly constructed / rehabilitated roads should have adequate road furniture.

16.  During maintenance operations / diversions the temporary road signs must be installed for the guidance of road users.

17.  Vigilance Squads for the monitoring of roads and preservation of Right Of Way should be constituted and enforced.

18.  In order to up grade the existing assets the road sections, that are beyond maintenance must be reconstructed/ rehabilitated as against periodic maintenance, which does not provide the desired results.

19.  Allocated maintenance funds must be released on time for effective maintenance.

20.  Prepare a comprehensive road information database that is made available to the public through the web site. Also provide up-to-date status report through media regarding traffic flows etc.

21.  Give due consideration to social and environmental impacts i.e. avoid cutting of trees, encourage new plantation alongside road; stabilized shoulders should be included in plan etc.

22.  For effective management there is a need to have participation from the public. This activity should start from a young age where road awareness is instilled in children at home and in schools.

23.  Safety audit of the Road Design must be done before and after execution of all road construction projects.

24.  Road Safety education should be included in all school syllabi. Special road safety courses  for School Teachers should be designed and conducted.

25.  Driver training and education requires special attention. A sustained campaign should be launched to improve driving standards. Proper licensing  of drivers should be enforced.

26.  Enforcement of traffic rules is sadly lacking. Measures must be implemented to ensure complete enforcement of traffic rules.

27.  Regular monitoring of the “Right of Way” is necessary. Law enforcement to prevent encroachment must be implemented effectively.

28.  There is an urgent need for suitable amendment in the Law, to facilitate immediate medical treatment to all road accident victims, without waiting for an FIR to be filed.
Trauma Centers should be established in leading hospitals to treat road accident victims.
First aid facilities should be provided at regular intervals along all highways.

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