Transportation Planning Aspects of a Smart City-Case Study of GIFT City, Gujarat

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Limited (GIFTCL) is developing a financial Central Business District (CBD) namely GIFT City between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar as a global financial and IT services hub, a first of its kind in India. GIFT City is being developed as a high quality commercial zone along with an ideal blend of residential and social facilities that optimise land and real estate values with global connectivity and generation next infrastructure. GIFT City transport master plan aims at a transit oriented development based on walk to work approach, pedestrian friendly infrastructure with zero fatal accidents, easy and fast mobility with minimum conflicts and efficient public transport systems which reduce the per capita energy basket. In accordance with the GIFT City transport vision, the transport infrastructure has been planned to cater to the daily demand as well as that of the peak hour and Multi Level Parking (MLP) lots have been proposed at suitable locations in the GIFT city. To enhance the mobility and safety in GIFT city, various smart transport applications like advanced traveller information system, security and surveillance system, intelligent parking management system, parking guiding system, automatic vehicle location and tracking, real time travel response etc are planned. GIFT City transport master plan addresses the needs of all users of GIFT City, thereby it can be called as “User-Centred Smart Transport System” and its makes it possible for all GIFT City users to enjoy a world class life style in this vibrant global city. GIFT City smart transport planning parameters and design details are elaborated in this paper.