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Strategies to manage traffic congestion (making public transport a choice…
Strategies to manage traffic congestion
making public transport a choice mode of transport
Integrated public transport system:
An integrated transport system connects various modes of transportation so that it functions as a whole.
Tokyo, Japan:
All modes of public transport, including the train, tram and bus systems, which can be paid for using a rechargeable contactless smart card.
Speeds up the movement of people taking public transport
makes commuting more smooth and convenient,
All transports are timed to precision
Allows commuters to plan their travel routes more effectively
Singapore:
multiple transport hubs with bus interchanges that are fully integrated with rail services and retail activities.
Linking platforms from road to rail + escalators
smoother transfer
improved accessibility
Greater commute experience overall
Benefits:
More convenient
accessible
efficient
People can make use of different modes of transport to get to places quickly
Challenges:
an integrated transport system requires extensive planning
costly
not feasible in all countries
Bus lanes schemes:
Lanes specifically set aside for private and public buses on specific days and times. With designated bus lanes, buses are able to enter and exit bus stops quickly
Provide faster and uninterrupted journeys for commuters
improve bus speeds and reliability
Normal bus lanes: (yellow)
no driving within these lanes for private cars, taxis and motorcycles during weekday peak hours
Full-day bus lanes: (yellow and red)
No driving for private cars, taxis and motorcycles from 7.30am to 11pm, Mondays to Saturdays
Benefits:
buses can move quickly and will not be held up during traffic congestion
Buses will arrive on schedule more often even during peak hours, makes travelling by bus more appealing
Challenges:
The success of bus-lane schemes depends on the compliance of drivers
Allocating bus lanes takes away precious road capacity, may lead to traffic congestion for private car users
Expansion of rail networks
:
Expansion of rail networks means increasing the number of locations trains can reach
More tracks can be laid to ensure rail network covers a large area
More stations can be built so that more locations have access to trains
Benefits:
Trains have very high capacities and can transport more people each time
People can travel to more destinations by train, which were only previously accessible by car or bus
Challenges:
Building rail networks are expensive
Proposed rail line may cut through housing estates and buildings
Those affected might have to bear with construction noise
Or give up their property
Inconvenience for residents and businesses in the area
Increasing capacity and frequency of buses and rails:
relieve traffic conditions by upgrading rail and bus systems to carry more people and arrive more frequently.
Curitiba, Brazil:
Dedicated bus lanes for articulated buses (three sections)
BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) can carry nearly 2 million people a day
Buses arrive frequently, sometimes as often as every 90 seconds
Traffic light stays green when buses are approaching the traffic junction (through sensors on board)
Reduces the number of times buses have to stop, so they can move at a steady pace
Singapore:
Bus Service Enhancement Programme
reduce waiting times for buses
partnered with bus operators
Benefits:
More people can be transported to places and within a short time
Challenges:
Costly
Managing road usage
Road pricing
:
Traffic management that charges drivers when they use certain roads.
There is a determined number of gantries in fixed locations
Road prices are adjusted from time to time
Typically, drivers pay more during peak hours in order to discourage the use of certain roads
Singapore:
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is implemented
72 gantries as of 2012
typically located in areas that are more congested
ERP rates for the Central Business District is the highest, as CBD is the most congested
Stockholm, Sweden:
Stockholm Congestion Tax
Applies to people leaving and entering the CBD
Cameras at control points are used and bills are sent to the drivers later
Benefits:
Higher costs discourage drivers from driving during peak hours
People may then use alternative modes of transport like buses and trains instead of driving and taking taxis
Challenges:
Traffic is diverted to other roads because of drivers avoiding ERP
But this may not solve the issue of traffic congestion as it may just occur elsewhere
Increased parking fees
:
used to manage road usage
increases the cost of driving
especially to and from the CBD
encourages drivers to take more public transport
Benefits:
High parking fees add to the cost of owning and using a car
Discourages private car ownership
Challenges:
Drivers may resort to illegal parking
Illegally parked cars may cause road blockage, traffic congestion and even pose a threat to drivers
Enhanced traffic monitoring
:
technology can be used to manage traffic
Traffic monitoring alerts drivers of traffic congestion, so they may avoid travelling on that road
Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS):
In case of vehicle breakdown or accident, live information is made available to drivers on the road
they may then take an alternative routes to prevent further build-up on congested roads
Green Link Determining system:
computerised traffic light signalling system
detects vehicles and pedestrians at major road junctions
adjust green time according to traffic conditions
More vehicles on road = more green time
More pedestrians = less green time
may also remain green to allow vehicles to travel through traffic junctions and drivers can have a more efficient journey
Benefits:
Drivers can avoid traffic congested places
Challenges:
Only encourages drivers to drive elsewhere
Does not reduce the number of vehicles on the road
Others
Telecommuting
Employees work from home or at a location near their home so they do not have to travel long distances to the office
Made possible by technology such as internet connections, computers and telephone lines
Able to stay in contact with colleagues and clients even though they are not physically present at the office
Do not need to commute to workplaces, reduces the number of vehicles on the road
Encourage cycling
Environmentally friendly, convenient, cheap
flexible and mobile
Benefits:
Flexible and Mobile
Environmentally friendly and sustainable
Challenges:
Dangerous for cyclists, close to motor vehicles on the road
some cities not suited to cycling due to layout, traffic conditions or topography