China - Xian Urban Transport Project

Page 1 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: AC1993 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 07/26/2006 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: China Project ID: P092631 Project Name: Xian Urban Transport Project Task Team Leader: Rakhi Basu Estimated Appraisal Date: March 17, 2007 Estimated Board Date: July 17, 2007 Managing Unit: EASTR Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: General transportation sector (96%);Sub-national government administration (4%) Theme: Access to urban services and housing (P);Other urban development (P);Municipal governance and institution building (S);Pollution management and environmental health (S) IBRD Amount (US$m.): 150.00 IDA Amount (US$m.): 0.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: BORROWER 253.00 253.00 B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN] The project development objective is to improve accessibility and mobility in Xi'an, while reducing the environmental impact of urban transport system, and protecting Xi'an's cultural heritage, with a particular focus on the Ming walled city. Key performance indicators being considered are: 1. Reduction in travel times for key user groups (i.e. cyclists, pedestrians, public transport users). 2. Reductions in car traffic to/from and across the Ming walled city and the Han Chang'an site. 3. Increases in bus operating efficiency - on street speeds, reliability, passenger flows/bus 4. Reduction in levels of key pollutants to national standards or better. C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN] To achieve the above-mentioned objective and results, the project will include: Page 2 Urban road network - Although Xi'an has a clearly defined hierarchy of roads, some further improvements to arterial roads and junctions are required to bring them up to consistent standards are required so as to ensure the most effective and efficient operation of the network within the third ring road. In addition the city lacks an effective network of secondary roads within the existing areas (including the Ming walled city) as well as new secondary roads to service the newly developing areas. The current low density of the secondary road network forces traffic on the main roads for even short distance trips and inhibits the efficient development of new peripheral areas and land in Huxian County. Also lacking are adequate facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to cross main roads. This component consists of a package of investments within the 3rd Ring Road to complement the investments in new major roads being made by ADB and XMG. It will include: (i) Junction improvements and additional interchanges on the first ring road (around the Ming walled city) to increase the capacity and efficiency of this road, so as too attract traffic that would otherwise cross the Ming walled city. (ii) Upgrading to multi-level interchanges of two remaining at grade junctions on the second ring road, with the same objective as item (i) (iii) Construction of pedestrian bridges and underpasses to improve pedestrian mobility across major roads and PT routes, and (iv) Upgrading of the road maintenance system. Also included are roads to facilitate the urban expansion of the satellite town of Huxian, selected for priority development. Public Transport. This component consists of a package of measures to strengthen public transport performance: (i) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). One pilot demonstration corridor, inclusive of bus costs, passenger facilities (interchanges, terminals and stops, information systems) and ancillary equipment (ticketing, bus location system), as well as TA for system planning, design, and operations support. (ii) Ten bus priority corridors: 100 kms. of bus lanes, and associated facilities, to improve operating speeds and reliability. (iii) Interchanges: Three interchanges hubs to improve facilities for passengers (iv) One bus depot and maintenance yard (including land). Traffic Management and Road Safety - The objectives of this component are to protect the Ming walled city and other cultural heritage sites thorough the upgrading of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic facilities and the foundation of an ITS (Intelligent Transport System), which will facilitate mobility management and ensure the safe and efficient use of the existing road and public transport networks. The component complements investments in the ADB project, and includes: (i) Setting up an Area Traffic Control (ATC) system including CCTV, and associated junction channelization (ii) Road safety program, including accident analysis software, accident investigation equipment, remedial measures, road user education and enforcement initiatives and equipment Page 3 (iii) Parking measures and equipment (iv) Pedestrian facilities (v) Bicycle facilities (vi) Technical Assistance for ATC, Accident Analysis, Parking Study and Travel Demand Management (TDM) Study. Air Quality Management - Xi'an Environmental Protection Bureau (XEPB) has comprehensive and ambitious plans to improve air quality and to reduce vehicular emissions. For this project, they proposed five activities which will allow them to expand air quality management (AQM), with a focus on vehicular emissions: 1. Ambient air quality monitoring which will cover fixed and mobile monitoring, 2. Vehicle emissions monitoring and control measures for laboratory based and remote sensing equipment and activities, 3. Other priority point source emissions control measures, 4. Information management and data analysis for air quality management for the city, and 5. AQM policy, planning, and institutional strengthening. Cultural Heritage. This component is designed to provide transport infrastructure to support proposals to protect and enhance two of the major historic sites in Xi'an. Two subcomponents are proposed: (i) Han Chang'an Site - Pedestrian and Bicycle Paths for the Weiyang Palace Site.The purpose of the subcomponent is to provide better access for people to visit the Weiyang Palace site by marking and utilizing the ancient roads. The proposal includes four pedestrian and bicycle paths (6 or 8 m wide, and about 7 km long in total) inside the site, and one access road connecting the site and Daxing Rd, a main urban road of the city. (ii) Bicycle Ring inside the Ming City Wall and the 15 Scenic Spots Bicycle Route. This subcomponent would provide support for investments in bicycle facilities within the Ming City. 50% of tourists who come to Xi'an visit the Ming City Walls. The objectives of the subcomponent extend beyond providing bicycle routes and aim to be a catalyst for more fundamental changes in the approach to traffic management in the Ming City. Capacity Building. This component is designed to respond to the request from Xi'an for Bank assistance to develop a capacity in the city for transport planning and policy making. To date, these topics have been suggested for possible TA support in the project: (i) Strategy Study and Short Term Improvement Program - given the urgent need for this capacity building, it is being considered for possible retroactive financing. (ii) BRT planning, design and implementation assistance (iii) PT planning and Reform (iv) Traffic Management - ATC, Parking, Accident Analysis, and TDM (v) AQM Vehicle Emissions (vi) Ming City Management Plan (vii) Financial Planning. D. Project location (if known) Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China Page 4 E. Borrower