Transportation demand management as a strategy to decongest cities and improve mobility: the case of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Modern literature emphasizes the importance of giving Transportation Demand Management solutions precedence over conventional transportation strategies, which use ‘supply-side’ approaches to address transportation-related problems, particularly in rapidly growing developing countries. This study is therefore being conducted to find appropriate TDM techniques for Addis Ababa city to ensure sustainable transportation. To find regional and international best practices, a comprehensive literature review with case studies was carried out as part of this study's qualitative methodology. Purposefully selected experts from the city planning office, transport office, traffic management and academics were interviewed to collect qualitative data. To determine significant themes and recommendations for the qualitative data analysis, the study employed thematic analysis. Accordingly, the results show that some of the most important applicable mobility management strategies that should be put into place in the city are the following: congestion pricing; vehicle restrictions; parking management; school transport management; car sharing; alternative work schedules; telework and regulatory and institutional reform. This is because these strategies have the potential to assist in improving the city's urban transportation systems and overcoming present challenges. Therefore, the study recommended that appropriate TDM strategies for the city's transportation system be used in place of the conventional transit system management models.