It is well known that all urban areas produce
traffic congestion or “traffic jam” and is experienced by the
average working person, business man, school/university students, vendors etc.
The number of people entering the urban area is well into the 1000’s. Traffic
occurs when a volume of traffic generate demand for space greater that the
available road space capacity. This type of urban congestion occurs every day
at peak hours of the day, (work/school arrival and departure times) where
traffic is at its highest. These pictures show some congestion at major
intersections on the highways to enter the urban areas and Central Business
District.
Living in Arima, I use private transport (our personal cars)
to travel to University of West Indies,Trinidad. I generally
experience everyday to enter St.Augustine and Arima, and Port-of-Spain. Many
people depend on urban areas for jobs, schooling, medical care, entertainment
etc. and visit these city areas every day, more than once. It is expected as
the population density increases in urban areas and surrounding areas (suburbs
and urban periphery) the traffic congestion situation will increase
rapidly.
The intensity of congestion is exacerbated by
vehicular accidents, working zones, lack of traffic police presence and
enforced laws. Daily traffic is a sign of an urban areas and urban growth and
will always be a problem. Traffic scientists and urban economists have done
research on traffic congestion and proposed and Economic Theory on Urban
Traffic Congestion.
To understand the concept of Urban Traffic Congestion from
an economic point of view you should definitely take a read.
While research I came across this report on Managing Urban Traffic Congestion by the EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF TRANSPORT
In January 2004, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) brought together their transport research capabilities in setting up the Joint Transport Research Centre. This document provides a summary of the key messages and findings of the OECD/ECMT Joint Transport Policy Research Centre report on Managing Urban Traffic Congestion. It puts forward policy-oriented, research-based recommendations for effectively managing traffic congestion and eliminating excessive congestion in large urban areas. It also provides a fundamental overview of the nature, scope and measurement of congestion necessary for any effective congestion management policy.
Click the link to view the whole PDF
Managing Urban Traffic Congestion
Managing Urban Traffic Congestion
Why is there traffic congestion?
- Population growth – more people, more income, more people purchasing cars
- Unchecked development, urban economic growth, residential growth and congested streets
- Accidents, events and incidents
- Street vending
Some effects of traffic congestion:
- Long hours in traffic
- Waking up earlier than desired to get to school or work
- Leaving earlier or later to avoid the congestion on the roads
- Fatigue – mental, physical and psychological
- Less time spent with family and friends
- Poor air quality
Few tips on how you can reduce traffic by not contributing to it
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