Title: Consumer awareness about road sector in India and suggested approach for improved involvement of citizens in road development programs

Authors: Kedar Bhagwat; Dhiraj Prakash Sethi; Anand Venkatesh; Yogesh Mahajan

Addresses: Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource and Development, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India ' Department of Traffic and Safety, V R Techniche Consultants Pvt Ltd., Noida, India ' Department of Economics, Indian Institute of Rural Management, India ' Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource and Development, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

Abstract: With the success of road development programs in terms of the availability of quality road networks across the country and acceptance of roads as a primary mode of transportation amongst road users, in this study, we have conducted road user awareness regarding road transportation system and related road safety aspects through a comprehensively designed web-based objective type questionnaire. This questionnaire was distributed online to road users nationwide, mainly passenger car drivers. All the satisfactory responses have been analysed using descriptive analysis and regression analysis. According to the survey, road users think they comprehend traffic laws, road networks, and toll policies. The average awareness score was 16 out of 31 items (approximately 50%), which is poor considering that 47% of respondents were from the civil/infrastructure industry, contributing heavily to India's road-building program. This study examined user awareness across programs, not just safety. Policymakers can utilise the study's findings to comprehend passenger car users' awareness of the road network, driving behaviours, road safety, toll policy, and technological initiatives.

Keywords: road user awareness; road safety initiatives; road development programs; civil/infrastructure industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEF.2024.139582

International Journal of Electronic Finance, 2024 Vol.13 No.3, pp.275 - 297

Received: 30 Dec 2022
Accepted: 18 Feb 2023
Published online: 04 Jul 2024 *

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