Modernization and/or Sustainable Transportation System in Dakar: Identification of Problems and Mode Requirements

Transport is in crisis in the Senegalese capital city. The urban structure in Dakar is characterized by a main urban pole, monopolizing industrial activities; harbor and port activities were also moved from other cities to Dakar. Around 80% of the activities are concentrated is the capital city. However, the public transport sector is not very organized and reliable; it is also informal except the bus system. Since 2000, Conventional bus services are operated by Dakar Dem Dikk (DDD), but the situation deteriorated in 2003 and 2004 so that very few vehicles were operate daily. There are around 2,500 to 4,000 smaller buses, known as cars rapides, with between 25 and 40 seats. Only 10% of the population in Dakar own a car and 76% of the population uses mass transit as Ndiaga Ndiaye and car rapid. They are all facing to worsening traffic congestion. This paper aims to analyze the urban transportation situation in Dakar, classify the problems encountered by the urban structure and define the transportation needs of Dakar urban system. Thus Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) was suggested as the alternative solution to the transportation system in Senegal.