Soten Nepal

Conference

1.    Introduction

Integration of transport systems refers to the multi-modal transport system with physical interfacing between the modes and requiring operational combination between modes in which service integration plays a vital role. This interprets the smooth movement of passengers and freight over various modes of transport. In other words, transport integration can be defined as the organizational process through which the planning and delivery of elements of the transport system are brought together, across modes, sectors, operators, and institutions, with the aim of cumulative social benefits including the economic as well as environmental aspects.

An integrated system of planning ensures the quality development practices by providing efficient and effective transport services and reduces adverse effects on the society. Nepal is prioritizing the development efforts in transport infrastructure, which is well reflected in periodic plans and annual budget programs at the central, provincial as well as local levels. Efforts are aimed at achieving safe, easy, and quality transport services by the expansion of road networks, air transport, railways, and waterways as stipulated in the current 15th Five Year Plan. Some efforts are being made for development of various modes of transport as an integrated system during the planning process.  Coordination among the transport development authorities remains to be the main challenge leading to higher development cost and waste of resources. Similarly, planning for the overall development issues are not being addressed.

Development objectives cannot be attained by the segregated approaches of planning with reference to institutional structure and process. It would affect the national economy and its development pace. Similarly, the transport sector’s efforts are aimed at overall national prosperity. Therefore, it has to be linked with the various activities, and services, for all tiers of administrative, economic, as well as social structure.

In these circumstances, the Society of Transport Engineers Nepal (SOTEN) has taken initiatives to bring the stakeholders into a common forum for an interface and understanding of the approaches and efforts of planning and implementation. Recently, SOTEN has successfully organized a National Seminar on “Integrated Transport Development: issues and way forward”. The National Seminar has raised main issues for the review of national-level policies, plans, and projects for the integration of transport modes, operations, and services.

This International Conference is jointly organizing with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) with the supports of Department of Roads (DoR), Department of Railways (DoRW), Department of Transport Management (DoTM), Roads Board Nepal (RBN), Department of Local Infrastructure (DOLI), Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC). Similarly, the event is being supported by international agencies such as Korean Society of Transport (KST), Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), UNESCAP, Transport Research and Education Network, and Eastern Asia Society of Transport Studies (EASTS).

2.    Objectives

The main objective of this Conference is to disseminate the state-of-art approaches, proven best practices, and scientific know-how for addressing the integration issues for sustainable mobility. At the same time, it aims to provide a greater opportunity for the transport sector professionals to understand the recent research outcomes on this issue. The conference is expected to produce an important note of conference proceedings for decision support to the planning and implementing agencies in this sector.

3.    Conference Theme

The theme of the conference is “integrated transport for sustainable mobility”. It has two sub-themes: the first sub-theme focuses on ‘transport sector integration case-studies’ and the second is about ‘research towards the integration and sustainable mobility.’

3.1   Sub-theme I: case study

This theme will contain the case studies from the various countries in the urban or regional transport planning of infrastructure development as well as integration of transport services.  The major aspects of this category may consider the following:

  • Intermodal integration and accessibility analysis
  • Improvement in the urban transport by integrating the modes and services,
  • Transport policy formulation for integration in transport,
  • Best practices in electric mobility, transport safety, non-motorized transport,
  • Transit-orientated development, improving public transport,
  • Implementing intelligent transportation systems
  • Financing in transport infrastructure development
  • Cross-border transport and international trade routes

3.2   Sub-theme – II: Research towards the sustainable mobility

This category mainly contains the papers from the academic researchers related to the emerging issues of the sustainability in the transport sector. The theme would mainly concentrated in the following aspects of the transport research:

  • Road safety,
  • Econometric models,
  • Public transport efficiency,
  • Electric mobility,
  • Freight transport,
  • Trade and transport,
  • Transport tourism,
  • Aviation/Railways and waterways
  • Urban/regional transport planning

4.    Organizing Committee:

The Organizing Committee for this conference is as:

  • Coordinator: Mr. Prabhat Kumar Jha, Joint Secretary, MoPIT
  • Members:
    • Arjun Jung Thapa, DG Department of Roads
    • Rohit Bisural, DG Department of Railways
    • Tok Nath Pandey, DG Department of Transport Management
    • Ganesh Bahadur KC, ED Roads Board Nepal
    • Surendra Mohan Shrestha, DG Department of Urban Development and Building Construction
  • Member-Secretary: Prof. Dr. Padma Bahadur Shahi, President of SOTEN

5.    Technical Committee

The overall technical and scientific aspects of the conference will be managed by the Technical Committee of the Conference. The committee is comprised of international as well as national experts in the transport sector.

  • Coordinator: Dr. Surya Raj Acharya, Executive member, SOTEN
  • Members:
    • Dr. Satish Chandra, IIT, Roorkee
    • Seonha Lee, President of  KST
    • Jin-Hyuk Chung, Senior Vice President of KST
    • Gautam Bir Singh Tamrakar, IOE, Tribuvan University
    • Dr. Thusitha Chandani Shahi, Nepal Engineering College, Pokhara University
    • Hare Ram Shrestha, Past President, Nepal Engineers Association
    • Madan Bandhu Regmi, UN ESCAP
    • Partha Mani Parajuli
    • Chandra Bahadur Shrestha, Nepal Transport Development Research Center
    • Member Secretary: Dr. Rojee Pradhanang, IOE, Tribhuvan University
    • KOTI
    • EASTS

Contact email:

6.    Conference Advisory Committee

  • Gopal Prasad Sigdel, Secretary, MoPIT
  • Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, Former Secreatry, MoPIT
  • Devendra Karki, Former Secreatry, MoPIT
  • Rabindra Nath Shrestha, Former Secreatry, MoPIT
  • Birendra Bahadur Deoja, Former Secreatry, MoPIT
  • Ramesh Singh, Secretary, MoUD
  • Mani Ram Gelal, Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation
  • Lal Krishna KC, IPP

7.    Conference Registration and Fee

The conference registration form can be submitted online: soten.org.np

The registration fee scheme is as:

  • Nepalese participant: NRs. 15000.00
  • Participants from SAARC Countries: NRs. 20,000.00 per person
  • Foreigners:
    • Registration fee: US$ 250.00
    • Accommodation can be managed at Conference venue on demand
  • Nepalese Students: NRs. 10,000.00
    • The registration fee includes the charge for conference print materials, bag, lunch and a reception dinner.
    • The registration fee for paper presenters will be waived.

8.     Call for papers

The time line for the paper submission for the Conference is as:

  • 20 November 2022: Submission of abstracts,
  • 25 November 2022: Notification of acceptance of the abstract;
  • 15 January 2023: Deadline of the submission of full papers
  • 20 January 2023: Deadline for the registration
  • 25 January 2023: deadline for the submission of presentation slides

The comments and revision of the papers will be continuously performed with the given time-line. Detail guidelines for the paper submission can be found online www.soten.org.np

9.    Conference Secretariat:

  • Address: Roads Board Nepal Building, N. K. Singh Mrg, Minbhawan, Kathmandu

10. Conference Venue:

The Conference will be held in Kathmandu within the premises of 5-Star Hotel.

  • The Everest Hotel(www.theeveresthotel.com)
  • New Baneshwor, Kathmandu Nepal