Eskişehir transportation master plan is ok

Eskişehir Transportation Master Plan (EUAP) 'Final Report' which was prepared by Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality for Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Eskişehir Osmangazi University (ESOGÜ) was completed and covering the years of 2015-2035. The report was presented to the public at a workshop in which representatives of relevant institutions and organizations were invited.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Instructor Assoc. Dr. Onur Tezcan Eskişehir Transportation Master Plan includes determinations and recommendations regarding new public transportation lines, existing road public transportation system regulations, road network change and pedestrianization projects ”.

In the workshop held in Taşbaşı Cultural Center Red Hall, Assoc. Prof. from ITU regarding the final version of the Eskişehir Transportation Master Plan (EUAP) covering the years 2015-2035. Dr. Kemal Selçuk Öğüt and Assoc. Dr. Onur Tezcan made a presentation. Speaking before the opening of the workshop, Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mustafa Ünal and Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Hüseyin Erdemir thanked ITU, ESOGÜ, the relevant units of the Metropolitan Municipality and the relevant NGOs and institutions that contributed to the report.

Making a presentation at the workshop, ITU Instructor Assoc. Dr. Kemal Selçuk Öğüt gave information about the short and medium term studies. Öğüt said that they gathered the studies under 3 main headings, “The first is studies on roads and intersections, the second is on bicycle transportation, and the third is on pedestrian transportation. Regarding roads and intersections, counting studies were carried out by ESOGÜ at 150 intersections in Odunpazarı and Tepebaşı districts and 20 intersections in other districts. "We worked on physical regulations, business regulations and prohibitions here," he said.

Regarding the advice on parking, “We put roadside parking into parking pockets. Parking should not be allowed in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Süleyman Çakır and Ziya Paşa Streets. When we reserve parking pockets for these, we don't have the possibility to expand the streets. It is impossible for us to narrow the pavements because the pavements are too narrow. "Parks should be banned on these three streets," he said.

Stating that they conducted a survey on bicycle paths, they consider where people want to go by bicycle, Öğüt said, “In our study, we aimed to combine the existing bicycle paths. We created a network of bicycle paths, ”he said.

Stating that they planned the areas to be pedestrianized in two stages, Öğüt said, “What can be said for pedestrian transportation is that the existing pedestrian sidewalks should be used only for pedestrians. However, it is seen that many avenues and sidewalks in Eskişehir are occupied by tradesmen. In this case, pedestrians have to walk the road. It is imperative that the pedestrian sidewalks be made available to pedestrians with strict control. After making arrangements about the road at the intersections, we separated the remaining places for pedestrians. "We tried to widen the sidewalks," he said.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Instructor Assoc. Dr. Onur Tezcan, on the other hand, stated that they have created solutions for Eskişehir's urban transportation for the long term. Stating that they foresee a projection on how Eskişehir will become in 2035 in terms of transportation, population and other characteristics, Tezcan said, “The population of Eskişehir will increase by almost 2035 percent by 68. Employment will increase by 70 percent. There will be significant increases in the number of vehicles registered in traffic. This will add new troubles on existing bottlenecks. In our study, we used the revised Master Development Plan for 2035. The data we get here plays an important role. There are various public transportation solutions in Eskişehir Transportation Master Plan. While creating these scenarios, on the basis of providing sustainable access to new development areas, city center, OIZ and other industrial sites, existing and new university areas, city hospital and other large hospitals, Hasan Bey Logistics Center, Bus Station, Train Station and airport, central districts he said.

In the final section of the Eskişehir Transportation Master Plan final workshop, the report was prepared by Prof.Dr. Dr. Haluk Gerçek, Assoc. Dr. Onur Tezcan, Assoc. Dr. Kemal Selçuk Öğüt answered the questions from the participants.