The Failure of Intra-city Transportation systems and their causal effects on a Metropolitan Regional Economy, resident’s Quality of Life and a potential remedy
Reports from the United States transportation department have indicated that there are billions of hours of traffic congestion experienced each day. Almost everyone or rather everyone is affected by this ridiculous level of congestion and the causes are habitual. Traffic congestion is most commonly caused by inadequate and in effective management of capacity and unrestrained demand. So many vehicles pile up on the roads and there is no enough room on the roads for all these vehicles.
Traffic congestion has affected at least everyone at one point or another in that it has caused some people to be late for work or even lose direction due to closure of roads. It is again significant to note that this congestion can be dangerous at times and many accidents have been as a result of traffic congestion. This does not however mean that these causes cannot be prevented thus is the duty of the traffic department to find ways and means of curbing this problem (Lane and Earl 2010).
According to Berger “cities are experiencing difficulty in performing their communal functions.” (1978).This simply means that the urban community is experiencing a lot of problems and these problems are affecting the way individuals carry out their daily activities. Estimations of traffic congestion have been conducted by FHWH so that the right strategies for each condition can be enforced. It has been noted that there are so many complexities that arise from this congestion and despite continuous measurement with the use of latest technologies, the process is still complex.
The FHWA has conducted studies to provide national estimates of congestion and this has been illustrated in diagrams. It is important to note that this is just estimation and until better information and sources are developed, the figures produced are FHWA’s best estimates of what causes congestion. The estimates are fundamental in the sense that they guide such programs as FHWA in finding the strategies to deal with the problem of congestion and also assist in identifying the areas that need much emphasis. Nevertheless, the conditions vary greatly and the methods for estimating congestion would assist transportation engineers.
The FHWA program also noted that congestion is getting worse and according to research done by the Texas transportation institute, congestion levels in eighty five of the largest metropolitan areas have continued to grow annually. Over the past twenty years, congestion has tremendously increased an especially in the largest cities thus these areas are finding it hard to be at par with the rising demand (Schrank and Lomax, 2005). Due to changes in the economy and individual lifestyles, traffic congestion is a factor that should be taken into consideration since its effects are reflected in all business activities.
According to IBM “In Moscow, drivers reported an average delay of two-and-a-half hours when asked to report the length of the worst traffic jam they experienced in the past three years”(2010).It is not only in Moscow where this problem is being experienced but cities across the nation are fighting for quality systems in infrastructure. The IBM study gives a clear picture of the metropolitan area where commuters are seen struggling each and everyday to reach to or from work on time. Commuters always find it rough struggling through the heavy traffic jam on most of the roads in the cities. Some individuals have even claimed that the congestion has greatly affected their health in that they have developed respiratory complications due to air pollution.
The results compiled by the IBM revealed a tremendous disparity in the hustle of comminuting daily from city to city. The IBM commuter pain index also revealed that there are differences in the commute in different cities. In Beijing for instance, the commute is four times more painful than in New York or Los Angeles. The survey was aimed at comprehending the way consumers think about traffic congestion. This is also due to the fact that the matter has gone out of proportion not just countrywide but globally as well. The congestion has also raised environmental concerns and all these happenings are affecting the communities worldwide. Governments, the public and the private sectors are also looking for better means to undo the negative effects of the increases traffic congestion.
In the near future, it expected that nay people will move to the urban areas hence increasing the population. It is obligatory that transportation networks in urban regions be recognized and established and the land for them be set aside now in order to meet the travel requirements of the public in the future. The most favorable network of chief transportation facilities, which initially was spaced at four to six miles and later, spaced at two to three miles in urbanized areas, can function into the future at practical degrees of service for any rates of population growth, city area growth, and increases the demand for travelling. (Leisch and Bakker 1969).
The central law requires that transportation plans lasting between twenty to thirty years be written by urban planning organizations. The federal law also requires that these plans be revised at least every four to five years. Reviews of the plans in the largest urban areas have revealed that the planning methods are normally not followed. This has raised doubts among tax payers and commuters since they feel that the available resources are not well utilized (Toole and Randal 2008).
According to Twaalfhoven and Patricia “Sydney’s transport system is fundamental to the economic welfare of the city” (2006).The transportation system in Sydney for instance includes rail services, bus services, cycling and even walking. New industries and resources continue to emerge in Sydney hence an appropriate transport system is essential. Sydney has a new plan which outlines the vision and future of the country. The plan also includes the corridors and centers that will be developed in the coming future and transport is a crucial part of this particular plan. In the plan, activities and land uses in the urban areas have been distributed in a manner that puts into consideration the strength and weaknesses of the current transport system. The objective of the plan is to enhance the lives of individuals and to protect the environment as well. This therefore strengthens the economy and improves governance. Organized and full amalgamation of transport and land use development is necessary to achieve the Metropolitan policy objectives. Every nation needs a proper transportation system and as the countries grows, the public needs to be granted appropriate systems of transport which will enhance appropriate travel (Ndale ,1958). The negative impact on the environment will also be reduced hence proper transportation systems is the back born of the development of any nation.
Reference
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