[sustran] SEMINAR ON IMTS

[kusala]

     REGIONAL SEMINAR ON INTERMEDIATE MODES OF TRANSPORT
     SRI LANKA
     MARCH 20TH  21ST, 1998

     Regional Seminar on
     Intermediate Modes of Transport

     Increased population, changes in economies, and exposure to modern
     technology has changed the transport patterns in many cities.  The
     urban centres are flooded with traffic, creating congestion on roads.
     But rural areas are serviced by a very low percentage of these
     vehicles,  leaving people to cope as they can with their transport
     burdens.

     Some countries are trying to see a way out of this transport dilemma
     by widening the choice of vehicles available to the people.  Smaller
     passenger vehicles for low income routes,  low engine capacity
     vehicles for short distance travel,  modes that build up on available
     resources such as bicycle, pack animals, waterways,  innovations that
     increase the load carrying capacity of existing low cost modes are
     some examples.

     Termed as Intermediate Modes of Transport,  these are comparatively
     low cost, use appropriate technology and meet different transport
     needs.

     Intermediate Modes of Transport (IMTs) have the capacity to meet many
     rural and urban transport needs of countries.  But,  due to a variety
     of reasons,  awareness of the role IMTs can play in the provision of
     transport services is very limited, throughout the world.

     The South East Asian region encompasses a contrasting situation.  Some
     countries in the region widely use IMTs, absorbing them to the
     mainstream of transport provision.  In some others,  the use of these
     are minimal even though transport problems are a pressing issue.

     The Regional Seminar on Intermediate Modes of Transport is planned to
     share experiences on IMTs,  introduce different modes of IMTs,  create
     awareness of their  capacity to meet the transport the needs of people
     and explore avenues for better use of IMTs.


     Venue of Seminar - Galle, in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka
     Time - March 20th & 21st,  1998

     Implementing organisation

     The seminar is organised by the Lanka Forum on Rural Transport
     Development (LFRTD).

     LFRTD is a network that aims to design and promote rural transport
     systems that respond adequately to the needs of rural communities.
     Its membership consists of key government institutions in the
     Transport sector, development organisations that have a focus of
     alternative approaches to development and people with an interest in
     facilitating an effective transport system in the country

     LFRTD operates as the National Forum Group of the International Forum
     on Rural Transport Development.


     Who should participate
     The conference is open to anyone interested in promoting the use of
     IMTs ,  It will be of particular interest to:
     ? Transport services development planners
     ? Policy makers and implementers
     ? in the transport sector.
     ? Researchers and developers of appropriate transport technology.
     ? Academics with interest in transport.
     ? Development organisations with a focus on appropriate approaches to
     meet peoples needs
     ? Transport service providers

     Call for abstracts
     The seminar invites papers / posters/exhibition material other than
     posters on any of the above themes.

     Please specify clearly whether you wish to present a seminar
     paper/poster/other exhibition material

     Abstracts for papers should be submitted before November 30th 1997.
     Abstracts, limited to 200 words, can be sent as prints or via e-mail.
     Copies on e-mail should be sent in WordPerfect 5.1 or in Rich Text
     Format.

     The Programme Committee reserves the right to decide in which session
     to place your presentation.


     With your abstract please include:
     ? the title of your proposed paper or poster
     ? full name of presenting author (and co-authors, if any)
     ? postal address, fax, phone numbers and e-mail address

     The Programme Committee will select the papers by December 10th,
     1997.

     If your paper is selected, a "Guideline for paper/poster presentation"
     will be provided at a later date.

     A poster is a visual display mounted on a board.  Presenters are
     usually asked to address the theme for the poster for about 5 - 10
     minutes.

     Presenters of other exhibition material should specify the nature of
     exhibition material,  and the equipment & space required to display
     these


     Themes of the Seminar

     1  Impact of the use of IMTs on transport needs of different social
     groups
     ? women, traders and agricultural producers
     ? IMTs for public transport services

     2  Economics of using IMTs

     3  Creating a more favourable environment for use of IMTs
     ? Research and development
     ? Encouraging small/medium scale manufacturers in the production and
     dissemination of IMTs.

     4  Approaches to developing & disseminating transport technologies
     that are sensitive to peoples needs.

     5  Issues that concern registration/ traffic authorities when
     approving IMTs for passenger transport
     ? Requirements for registration of vehicles
     ? Traffic regulations
     ? Technology requirements
     ? Limitations of use


     Important points

     All participants are required to pay a registration fee
     Local participants         - Rs   2500
     Foreign participants       - US $ 300

     This registration fee covers meals (lunch and tea) during the
     conference hours and conference material of participants.
     Participants will bear accommodation, travel and other expenses.

     Potential presenters should note that all costs will be met from their
     own resources, unless otherwise specified by the Programme Committee.

     Accommodation facilities

     Colombo
     Five star hotel- US $  90 (room only)
     Four star hotel - US $ 60 (room with breakfast)

     Galle
     Five star hotel - US $ 120 (full board)
     Guest houses - US $ 25 - 30 (room with breakfast)

     The distance from Colombo to Galle is  115 Km.  The Programme
     Committee will negotiate for bulk bookings with a five star hotel, and
     will arrange transport for participants to and from Galle.


     Special Event
     Parade of a selection of IMTs that are locally available.  The parade,
      unique to the country, will originate from the venue of the seminar
     and will tour the local towns.  Significant questions,  comments
     generated from the community will be forwarded to the seminar for
     discussions.



     Please direct all inquiries to

     The Secretariat
     Lanka Forum on Rural Transport Development
     C/O Intermediate Technology Development Group
     No 5, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha
     Kirulapone
     Colombo 5
     Sri Lanka

     Telephone 94 1 852149/829412 - 5
     Fax                94 1 856188
     E-mail             ranjith at itdg.lanka.net


     Information forward link
     If you are unable to reach us in Sri Lanka, please contact the IFRTD
     in London

     Priyanthi Fernando
     Executive Secretary
     International Forum on Rural Transport Development
     New Premier House,
     150, Southampton Row, 2nd Floor,
     London WC 1B 5 AL
     UK

     Tel + 44  171  278  3670
     Fax + 44  171  278  6880
     e-mail ifrtd at gn.apc.org
     Website  (http://www.gn.apc.org/ifrtd)