Impact of Traffic Congestion
Nouzab Fareed is a consultant specialised in corporate restructuring, business strategy and governance. He has a Masters of Arts in Economics and a MBA. He is a past president of Fiji Institute of Accountant and past vice president of Fiji Chamber of Commerce. He is on
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Twenty years ago, Suva used to be a beautiful city with limited number of vehicles. Today, it has become a nightmare at times.
It used to be a driving time of less than 30 minutes between Suva and Nausori airport.
It is an achievement if you can do the same within 60 minutes during peak time today.
While this is part and parcel of an evolving city, better planning will have a positive impact.
Newly built supermarkets, malls and office buildings play a role in increasing congestion.
What is traffic congestion?
Traffic congestion is a condition that occurs when the volume of traffic on a road exceeds its capacity, causing slower speeds, longer travel times, and increased delays.
Why is it happening?
At end of 2018, there are close to 200,000 registered vehicles in Fiji.
At least 2000 vehicles were registered during the first three months of 2023.
When there are few alternative modes of transportation, such as cycling or walking, more people are likely to use private vehicles, leading to traffic congestion.
This can lead to an increase in the volume of vehicles on the road, which can cause congestion, particularly in areas where there is limited road capacity.
As the volume of vehicles on the road increases, travel times can become longer, particularly during peak hours.
This can lead to frustration and stress for commuters and may even impact their productivity.
New buildings often have large parking lots, but during peak hours, these can become congested, leading to drivers circling around looking for parking spots.
This can contribute to traffic congestion in the surrounding area.
Planning
Planning for traffic requires a comprehensive approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including urban planners, transportation engineers, and local government officials.
A traffic study or a traffic impact analysis (TIA) can provide valuable information on traffic volume, patterns, and congestion hotspots, which can inform decisions on transportation infrastructure investments and management.
Transportation plans need to be considered which may provide a long-term vision for transportation infrastructure investments and management. These plans can identify priority projects and funding sources for transportation infrastructure investments.
Public transportation can provide an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to private vehicle travel.
Investing in public transportation can help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, easing congestion and reducing emissions.
Promoting active transportation, such as cycling and walking, can help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and encourage healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
Implementing traffic management strategies, such as intelligent transportation systems, congestion pricing, and signal optimisation, can help to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
Engaging stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and community groups, can help to ensure that transportation plans and projects are aligned with the needs and priorities of the community.
Managing
Traffic congestion can happen due to a combination of factors, and addressing the root causes of congestion requires a multifaceted approach that involves a range of solutions, such as:improving public transportation, implementing better traffic management practices, and promoting alternative modes of transportation.
Managing existing traffic congestions requires a combination of short-term and long-term strategies.
A single strategy cannot provide a solution. By taking a comprehensive approach to traffic management, cities can help to reduce congestion, improve mobility, and create more sustainable and livable communities.
Implementing traffic management strategies, such as intelligent transportation systems, signal optimisation, and incident management, can help to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
For example, dynamic message signs can provide real-time information to drivers about traffic conditions and alternate routes. Encouraging carpooling and alternative modes of transportation, such as public transportation, biking, and walking, can help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and ease congestion. Employers can promote carpooling among their employees through incentives, and cities can invest in infrastructure to support alternative modes of transportation. Encouraging flexible work schedules, such as telecommuting or staggered work hours, can help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours and ease congestion.
Introducing congestion pricing is a strategy that involves charging drivers a fee for using congested roadways during peak hours.
Other countries
Cities in India, such as Mumbai and New Delhi, are known for their severe traffic congestion.
Rapid urbanisation, a growing population, and an increase in car ownership are some of the factors contributing to congestion in these cities.
Cities in Brazil, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are also experiencing severe traffic congestion due to rapid urbanisation and a lack of investment in public transportation infrastructure.
Rapid economic growth in China has led to an increase in car ownership and a rise in traffic congestion in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
London is known for its severe traffic congestion, with commuters spending an average of 101 hours in traffic annually.
The city has implemented congestion pricing and invested in public transportation infrastructure to alleviate congestion, but it remains a significant issue.
Singapore has implemented a highly effective electronic road pricing (ERP) system, which uses sensors to monitor traffic flow and charge drivers for using certain roads during peak hours.
This has helped to reduce congestion and promote more efficient use of transportation infrastructure while the Netherlands is known for its extensive cycling infrastructure, which has helped to reduce congestion and promote more sustainable transportation.
The country implemented smart traffic management systems, including intelligent traffic lights and variable speed limits, to optimise traffic flow and reduce congestion. The Tokyo government has implemented congestion charging in the city centre to reduce the number of cars on the road during peak hours. In Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, the government has implemented a highly successful bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which provides high-speed bus service on dedicated lanes.