Only three European countries have worse rush-hour traffic congestion than the UK,according to new figures. London, Manchester and Liverpool were all among the most congested cities in Europe last year, statistics from traffic information company INRIX showed.Based on rush-hour commute-to-city travel in 2011, the figures revealed that UK drivers spent 32 hours of the year stuck in traffic, although this was four hours less than in 2010. Heading the congestion list last year was Belgium where drivers wasted 55 hours in traffic. Holland was the next-worst country for jams, followed by Italy.The INRIX figures also showed that in the London commuter zone last year, drivers wasted 66 hours in traffic, with the Greater Manchester figure being 45 hours and Liverpool being 39 hours.The worst time for congestion in London was Friday from 4pm to 5pm, while Greater Manchester’s worst time was Tuesday from 9am to 10am, with Liverpool’s jams being at their worst between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesdays.
Source: London Evening Standard, June 2012.
Assignment 1 TASK
As the article above explains road transport in London is more and more congested. Road space throughout Europe, indeed the world, is becoming increasingly scarce as the demand for motor transport increases each year – what do you think are some of the best solutions to reducing the problem? Outline and discuss some economic solutions to the problem of reducing congestion on our roads.
NOTE: You are required to put your work through Turnitin. Further details, if required, will be given out by your lecturer. You are also advised to prepare a draft of his assignment and show your tutor and act on the feedback. Upon completion of these tasks the following learning outcomes (this is not part of the task) should be achieved:
1. The basic economic problem, opportunity cost and different economic systems
2. Demand and Supply, allocation of resources through the price mechanism in a free market and the concept of elasticity.
