The objectives of the research were to a) assess the degree of user satisfaction of the condition of roads in the Uva Province, Ampara and Jaffna Districts and the performance of the Provincial Road Development Authority; b) identify issues related to the road network that affect users and their livelihoods; c) highlight their views on future planning needs in order to enable the authorities to formulate more effective road development policies in future. Quantitative data for the study was obtained from motorized and non-motorized road users about the type of vehicles used and frequency of travel; issues related to traffic flow, road geometry, road quality, road environment, road signs, availability of roadside amenities; their perception of road safety; opinions on accidents, suggestions to improve safety; irritating factors; overall satisfaction, reasons for dissatisfaction, their suggestions for future planning and benefits expected after road improvement. Based on the quantitative data, an aggregate motorized and non motorized Index of Road User Satisfaction (IRUS) as well as an Index disaggregated by each of the 7 factors analyzed in the survey by province/ district, by road section and by gender were constructed. The 7 single indicators incorporated a number of sub indicators such as the Traffic flow, Road Geometry, Road Quality, Quality of the road environment, Road Signs and Markings, Roadside Amenities, Perception of Road Safety.
Qualitative data was obtained from motorized and non motorized users revealed the feelings, views and grievances about the factors that impacted adversely on travel comfort, travel time and cost, safety as well as on education, health, economic, social, cultural activities. Attention was also focused on the concerns of vulnerable users such as women, subsistence farmers, the poor, the sick, the disabled and the elderly. The analysis of replies to the overall satisfaction showed that the vast majority of users were either dissatisfied or highly dissatisfied about the condition of roads. The Satisfaction Index varied from a minimum – 88.19 to a maximum 100.00. The index values were centered on the median -1.69. This meant that most of the motorized road users fell within the negative range of satisfaction. Out of the 1100 road users, 82.91 percent of the total were below zero of the index value. The satisfaction index showed that a comparatively higher percentage of non-motorized road users had also belonged to the negative range with 99.1 percent below zero of the index value. The index values centered on the median -5.09.
