Traffic Congestion - Impacts and Potential Solutions

The problem of traffic congestion has assumed alarming proportions particularly in urban areas of most of the countries. The problem is exacerbated each year due to the increase in the population and, therefore, in the number of cars.?The ever-growing number of motorists and inadequate road infrastructure has led to frequent traffic jams, queuing problem and environmental degradation.

Due to congestion and queuing problems on the roads, the fuel consumption and vehicle operating cost is increased. The consumption of more fuel leads to spending of more foreign exchange to import oil. The travelling time is increased as well. In the present world, time is measured in monetary terms and has significant value, considering the total time lost by all motorists. Moreover, the drivers having been stuck up in the traffic jams and queues feel more stressed and this is one of the causes of accidents.

Highway engineers know well that slow moving traffic has more damaging effect on the roads. So, more funds are required to maintain the road network.

Traffic congestion affects the environments adversely. There is more smoke and noise. The oil spillage on the roads is also increased. Polluted environments have grave consequences for human health. It also burdens the public financially in the form of high fees for doctors and more spending on medicines.

There are two reasons behind the unprecedented rise in the number of cars. The main reason for using private cars is that it is a convenient and flexible mode of transportation. The second issue that public transport is either unavailable or is grossly inadequate and uncomfortable.

So, if we want to resolve the problem of congestion, we will have to improve public transport and discourage the use of private car ownership. We will have to reduce the number of lanes available to private vehicles, in favor of public transportation. By exchanging a few open roadway lanes for bus lanes, carpool lanes, or even sidewalks, the roads' design can reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road, as some potential drivers may opt for another form of transportation that’s cheaper or better fits their lifestyle.

We need to enhance the number of local buses and their routes. The travelling on public transport should be made frequent, efficient, comfortable and safe with special attention to the needs of elderly, children, and women passengers. This will automatically remove bias against travelling by local transport. The bus priority projects should be properly planned and implemented. Parking and misuse of bus only lanes should be monitored and strictly controlled. Similarly, coordination of traffic signals could be implemented. Road signing and road markings could be improved.

The metro trains are quite successful in so many countries for travelling within cities’ limits. There should be park and ride facilities on train stations. The daily commuters can park their cars in safe parking areas adjacent to the train stations and board the trains. The government should provide incentives to the private sector and offer a subsidy for local trains.

The provision of tram service can be one of the solutions to the problem.

The special routes could be allocated for those who carry more than one person in a car, especially during peak hours.

In developing countries, the concept of integrated transport has been introduced and implemented. A fully integrated transport system is one that allows all users to move easily between different modes of transport.

The main junctions should be improved with better layouts and modern traffic signals' control. Grade separation can improve traffic flows on major junctions. The through traffic can be taken off from urban areas by planning and implementing construction of ring or by-pass roads. Underground train service like tube system in London is one of the long term solution. The street parking or road side parking could be banned in the most congested areas, which will force people to use the public transport.

The use of non-motorised transport should be encouraged. For example, use of cycles as a mode of transport should be given the priority. For putting the people on bicycles, we need to allocate exclusive safe lanes on the roads for the use of cyclists. There should be more cycle repair shops along the roads, more secure parking facilities like cycle racks at public places. Incentives and subsidies should be offered to employees to buy bicycles.

Another issue that needs urgent attention is provision of facilities for pedestrians. Walking for relatively shorter distances is good for health and environments. Proper raised footpaths along the roads should be provided. The provision of safe crossing facilities for the pedestrians is also important.

To cater to specific classes of commuters, specials bus routes should be started for students at schools, colleges and universities at main arteries of the cities.

Schools and office timings should be staggered during morning and evening peak hours. The office timing could be made flexible and even working from homes at least a few days a week could be allowed.

‘Pedestrians only Zones’ around the big shopping centres should be established to discourage the use of cars.

Even congestion charges could be introduced on the lines of Central London to discourage the use of cars and encourage the use of public transport in the areas hard hit by the congestion.

Special bus and van services could be utilised for bigger government offices, like secretariat etc.

The condition of engines and emission system of all cars and other motorised transport should be checked at approved workshops and every motorist should be made bound to get the fitness certificate for the vehicle before bringing it on the road.

More goods trains need to be introduced to take heavy vehicles off the inter-city roads. The heavy vehicles should be banned from entering the urban areas at least during daytime.

While using autonomous or self-driven vehicles will not reduce congestion quantitatively, it will help manage traffic in a more advanced fashion. Without human intervention, smart cars can practice effective collision management, discover new roads to reach a destination, platoon perfectly, and gather data about free and empty parking zones to decide the best parking spot. Moreover, smart vehicles will also eliminate traffic jams caused solely due to human error. All of these combined reduce both commute time and congestion well.

Local transport plans for each city should be prepared by the transport engineers setting the short term and long-term goals/priorities etc.

In short, we have to think for sustainable transport system taking into account the needs of present as well as future generations.