Cities facing traffic jams issue

For the first time in history more people live in cities than in rural areas and this trend is predicted to continue, especially in emerging countries. Cities promote economic growth and social interactions. But many of the world’s cities and sprawling megacities over 10 million inhabitants have developed anarchically. Traffic is composed of virtually every type of vehicle and most were not designed for urban use. Infrastructure is often inadequate and modes of transport uncoordinated.

The downsides are congestion, air quality (40% of CO₂ emissions in the EU), noise pollution but also lost time and productivity as well as a high percentage of road accidents. Congestion or the overall lack of traffic fluidity hampers mobility and negatively impacts the local economy, the environment and the city dwellers’ quality of life.

More of the same is not an option

The rampant influx of vehicles has outpaced the implementation of adequate infrastructures and effective urban planning. Building more of the same is not an option. Cities pride themselves on their unique character and each city has inherited a different set of characteristics and problems. Very often numerous bodies are responsible for different aspects of a city’s transport system and coordination is often lacking. It is time to do some serious rethinking to get things moving in and around our cities.

Containing congestion by managing traffic

Road pricing electronic toll roads with transponder payment or license-plate billing, electronic toll collection (ETC), transponder lanes, dedicated lanes for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) or buses are all enablers for better flowing traffic. Information and communications technology relieve congestion, help clear-up traffic after accidents and promote optimal flow conditions. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) with connectivity between vehicles and the infrastructure and vehicles themselves provide dynamic real-time traffic information providing drivers with more choice in congestion avoidance and therefore better mobility. Only safe, comfortable, convenient and reasonably priced public transport systems can offer a valid alternative to grid-locked commuter journeys.

Shifting attitudes and behaviors to achieve freer-flowing urban transport

Transport in cities no longer fulfils the requirements of today’s urban environment. Nor does it address the expectations of city dwellers. New solutions are coming, namely technology and organizational reforms. However people need to think about their travel options differently. It will require a shift in attitudes and behaviors. Today information and communication technologies are altering the need to travel. The population is ageing. People are showing greater concern for environmental and quality of life issues. City dwellers expectations are proportional to the problems they encounter daily. We are in this together. We all contribute to the problem. We all need to be part of the solution. Road transport must find its place in this new era of reduced social interactions in a partially virtual world.

Read also:
- Singapore’s congestion pricing system
- The contribution of technology to limit traffic jams
- IBM enabling smart transportation systems
- “Organizational” solutions against traffic jams and gridlock

Categories: Noise - Climate change - Congestion - Emissions - Urban mobility - Road safety - Urban strategies

Keywords: CO2 - Infrastructure - Transportation