Traffic Congestion Crisis in Dar es Salaam: A Call for Urgent Action

Dar es Salaam which is the Tanzania’s bustling commercial capital, is grappling with a severe traffic congestion problem that affects the lives of millions of people on a daily basis. The situation has currently evolved into a huge crisis, and the cost of inaction is too high if not very slow. The chaos we see on our roads everyday is not just a matter of inconvenience; it represents significant financial, environmental, and social losses. This article explores, the real and present issues surrounding traffic congestion in Dar es Salaam and offer realistic practical solutions that could help minimize this challenge to some extent, in the context of a developing country like Tanzania.

With a population exceeding 6 million people, Dar es Salaam city has been experiencing rapid urbanization in recent decades which is growing far beyond its initial design and infrastructural capacity. This uncontrolled growth has led to a transportation system that is unable to cope with the demands placed upon it, resulting in traffic jams that stretch for miles during peak hours.

Studies show that Dar es Salaam’s residents spend an average of 2-3 hours in traffic daily during peak hours. This translates to approximately 60-90 hours per month lost per person, time that could otherwise be spent on productive activities. For businesses, these delays have a direct economic cost. It is estimated that, traffic congestion costs the city almost USD 500 million annually in lost productivity, fuel costs, and vehicle wear and tear. These funds could have been directed toward infrastructural development, healthcare, or education essential components of the national development. Several interrelated factors contribute to Dar es Salaam's traffic challenges, these include:

Overreliance on private vehicles: A significant portion of Dar es Salaam’s residents rely on private cars and motorcycles for transportation. The lack of a reliable, safe, and comfortable public transportation system has forced people to choose personal vehicles over other sustainable alternatives even in short distances which has led to overcrowded roads, where the capacity is far exceeded by the number of vehicles. This not only worsens traffic congestion, but also heightens fuel consumption, air pollution, and the overall strain on road networks. Additionally, the rising affordability of some vehicles, combined with limited policies promoting alternative transport, exacerbates this issue.

Infrastructural problems: The city’s road network was built for a much smaller population and now struggles to handle the influx of vehicles. In some locations, the existing road systems are not adequately maintained, leading to potholes, poorly marked lanes, and insufficient traffic signals, which further worsen congestion. Key roads like Morogoro Road and Mandela Road have become notorious bottlenecks; but this recently major re-innovations have been made to Morogoro road which have heavily tackled the congestion problem which makes it easier for people and navigate conveniently. In addition to that, due to the lack of planning, many areas do not have designated parking zones. As a result, cars are often parked haphazardly on sidewalks, streets, or even in the middle of roads, further narrowing the space available for the moving traffic. Illegal parking around busy areas like markets, bus terminals, and office buildings creates obstacles that slow down traffic and can lead to gridlock during peak hours. This is especially problematic on roads that are already too narrow or congested.

Inefficient public transport System: While initiatives like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system were introduced to alleviate traffic congestion, the system is currently overutilized and still lacks proper expansion to meet the growing needs of the city. Despite the fact that the BRT has emphasized fast track movement of people from place to place due to their use of special lanes, still majority of middle-income citizens opt to use their private vehicles to commute for comfort purposes. Furthermore, the daladala minibuses, which serve a large portion of the population, are often unreliable, overpacked, and even unsafe.

Unregulated Urbanization: Dar es Salaam’s growth has outpaced its infrastructure development as previously mentioned. Poor planning particularly in informal settlements, has resulted in roads that are too narrow or poorly designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic. The lack of zoning laws and regulations further complicate matters. For example, markets and commercial areas like Manzese often spring up along main roads, attracting large crowds of pedestrians, street vendors, and cars that park illegally, narrowing the roads and obstructing traffic flow. Also, many people use cars to travel short distances within the same area, increasing the number of vehicles on the road even for simple trips.

Lack of Reliable Traffic Management: The absence of a robust traffic management system and coordination between different modes of transportation exacerbates the problem. Traffic lights are often malfunctioning, and traffic police, while trying their best, are frequently overwhelmed by the sheer volume of vehicles especially during peak hours, which makes it difficult to balance which routes should be given priority during these hours.

The environmental impacts of traffic congestion are severe and often overlooked. Dar es Salaam's reliance on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles results in significant emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollutants, contributing to both global climate change and local air quality degradation. In congested areas, vehicles are idling for hours, burning fuel inefficiently and emitting pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM2.5). Though it might not be easy to notice this at early stages, this air pollution has direct health impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Moreover, the increased wear and tear on roads, caused by constant traffic, leads to higher road maintenance costs and more frequent road repairs, which often involve the use of environmentally harmful materials. This cycle of damage and repair further strains the city’s limited resources.

Addressing Dar es Salaam's traffic congestion requires a multi-faceted approach that considers the economic, social, and environmental realities of a developing country like Tanzania. The following solutions are both practical and achievable, given the right political will and resources.

Expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System: The BRT system has proven successful in reducing traffic in certain parts of the city. However, its limited coverage area means that many residents still do not have access to it. Although, numerous phases are already on the plan and other final construction processes are being made to some routes; expanding the BRT to more neighborhoods, ensuring proper management, combined with affordable pricing and better safety measures, would definitely encourage more people to use this mode of public transport.

Promotion of Non-Motorized Transport (NMT): Dar es Salaam has the potential to promote walking and cycling as viable modes of transport, particularly for short-distance trips. Investing in dedicated pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes would not only reduce traffic but also promote healthier lifestyles. To make this a reality, the government must practically enforce laws that protect pedestrians and cyclists and prioritize NMT in future urban planning projects.

Improving Road Infrastructure: Immediate attention must be given to upgrading the existing road network. This includes regular maintenance, the widening of key roads, and the construction of new flyovers, bypasses and ring roads to divert traffic away from city canters. At the same time, future urban development should incorporate better road designs that account for the projected population growth and vehicular increase for next decades.

Adjacent city electric rail system: Dar es Salaam urgently needs an adjacent electric rail system to complement the BRT and enable faster, more efficient movement toward the city center. While the BRT has alleviated some congestion, it cannot fully meet the demands of the city's rapidly growing population and expanding urban sprawl. An electric rail system offers a high-capacity, environmentally friendly solution that can cover longer distances more quickly, reducing reliance on private vehicles and easing pressure on overcrowded roads. Moreover, electric trains produce lower emissions compared to road-based transport, helping to combat pollution while providing a reliable, faster alternative for commuters traveling from peripheral areas to the city center.

Smart Traffic Management Systems: Dar es Salaam could benefit from the implementation of smart traffic management technologies, such as adaptive traffic lights and real-time traffic monitoring systems. These systems can optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak times. In addition, investing in data-driven solutions that analyze traffic patterns and predict congestion hotspots could help authorities make informed decisions about where to allocate resources.

Public Awareness and Policy Reforms: Public education campaigns on the benefits of public transportation, carpooling, and non-motorized transport could help change attitudes and behaviors around mobility in Dar es Salaam. Additionally, policy reforms that discourage the overuse of private vehicles—such as congestion charges in busy areas—could encourage a shift toward more sustainable transport modes.

Traffic congestion in Dar es Salaam is a complex issue with far-reaching economic, environmental, and social impacts. As the city continues to grow, the challenges surrounding transportation and mobility will keep intensifying unless we take immediate and sustained action. The solutions I have outlined such as expanding public transport, promoting non-motorized transport, upgrading road infrastructure, and implementing smart traffic systems are all viable steps that can significantly reduce congestion and improve the quality of life for the majority of Dar es Salaam's residents. It is now up to relevant authorities, policymakers, and the public to work together to transform these solutions into reality.