Sociology

Traffic congestion has evolved to become a major problem in most of the major world cities. With each new day, traffic congestion continues to choke the worlds cities as a result of clogging of roads. Millions of drivers have had to endure long delays to work places or even back home. In Washington DC for instance, at the point where the interstate 95 meets the capital belt way traffic queues stretch up to 5km during the peak hours ( HYPERLINK httpusgovinfo.about.combioRobert-Longley-2430.htm Robert 20051). As a result, millions are lost economically while the environment also suffers. These congestions are not only frustrating but very costly to the economy, needless to mention the environmental impacts. The stop and go traffics waste a lot of fuel. It is estimated that the cost of time and fuel by motorists in the US urban areas alone is as much was 63 billion and could even be more taking into consideration other issues like pollution from idling emissions, accelerating engines among other areas ( HYPERLINK httpusgovinfo.about.combioRobert-Longley-2430.htm Robert 20051). The fluctuating fuel costs are believed to cost an additional 1.7 billion per year. In the UK, the situation is probably worse given that the UK is probably the leading country in Europe affected by traffic problems. However, the question to ask is whether or not the strategies available are effective or not. Traffic Congestion has continued to get worse as days pass by and unfortunately, not only in the UK but across all the major world cities. It has been estimated that in future this could even worsen further. As this is definitely a permanent problem, there has been growing concern and need to control it. This paper will explore some of the possible solutions to traffic problems and further evaluate their pros and cons.

Pricing of roads is probably among one of the best ways of solving the problem of traffic congestion. By increasing the cost for travelling along the more congested routes especially during peak hours would discourage motorists from travelling on the roads unless unavoidable. Motorist would be forced to reschedule lees urgent trips to other times when the road toll charges are less costly. This system would not only benefit in decreasing traffic congestion but will also increase revenue collection by the government. This revenue could then be used to develop other alternative means that would be beneficial in reducing traffic congestion. In London, traffic congestion ahs had great achievements. These include 30 average drop in congestion, 37 average increase in traffic speed, 20 decrease in fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and 12 drop in particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (Publications Archive 20071) Congestion pricing can however not go un-challenged. This system is likely to affect the low income earners negatively as at times they would have to reschedule their plans even when necessary due to increased toll fees ( HYPERLINK httpusgovinfo.about.combioRobert-Longley-2430.htm Robert 20051). This would lower the mobility of the poor even in instances where they are urgently needed to attend to issues they consider important. As much as the long term effect might counter this through use of the toll collections to develop alternatives, it is bound to face stiff opposition from the low income earners. To avoid increased stoppage in charging of the toll fees, use of electronic means in charging the fees will be necessary.

Development of alternative means of travelling within the cities is also a viable option to solve the problem of traffic congestion. By developing means that will reduce commuter trips into the CBD using cars, traffic congestion will be greatly reduced. A variety of incentives and policies which would divert transport to other alternatives could be the way out in this case. The alternative modes may include switching rail transportation, walkingcycling, and flexible working hours among others (World Urban Forum III 20062). These would only be effective if policies were formulated that discourage travelling by cars. Additionally, the policies should create measures that will reduce entry of cars into the city. Building of out of town parking facilities may come in handy. This system would not only reduce traffic congestion enormously but will also increase the efficiency of managing the transport system of the city and concurrently reduce the number of accidents within the city. This would also ensure that the city is free of any unnecessary obstruction, clear and safer. However, it must be acknowledged that some of these alternatives may be cumbersome to the commuters as they would have to pay parking fee and further pay more fare to have them transported into the CBD through other means e.g. by train. The central parking locations outside town may also be a recipe towards inviting crime to those locations but most significant set back would be the need to acquire more land to build ten out of city parking facilities. It would also be important to mention that through reduction of traffic jam involving cars, human traffic jam may in turn emerge. This would however be countered by having trains to transport people into the CBD.

Improving of the road networks to meet the emerging challenges is another alternative ways of minimizing traffic congestion. These include building of bypasses including inner ring roads and outer ring roads, construction of urban motor ways and finally construction of bus lanes (Christopher 20081). Bypasses are useful in eliminating unnecessary entry of cars into the CBD. Cars that have little business within the CBD may use the bypasses to reach their destination thereby avoiding the risk of piling up traffic into the CBD. The inner ring roads also offer opportunities for motorists to avoid congestion within the citys streets there by easing congestion. Building of urban motorways that allow for more lanes, fly overs among others offers a better alternative in easing of traffic congestion. The result of this would be reduced accidents, free flowing traffic thus saving time and resources, ease of managing traffic within the CBD and even reduced crime rates. Building of bus lanes will further allow more people into the city with a single means. Commuters can leave their cars in the outskirts and come together into buses to enter the city. This will ensure fewer vehicles into the city with more people. However, this would come with great cost implications that the governmentstakeholders may not be willing to undertake. Additionally, the by-passes would require acquisition of land around the city which may impact negatively on the owners existing investments.  One thing that is clear is that through redesigning of the city and further modifying the transportation system could offer the long term desired solution (Brian 20028).

In conclusion, its important to note that yes in deed, these measures would come with challenges, but on the other hand the traffic problem cannot be left unattended to any longer otherwise the cities may soon come to a standstill. Both stakeholders must therefore be ready to make sacrifices in order to build future safe and easily accessible cities. Easing traffic would save the country a lot economically as well as in various other sectors like health. In essence, a success in easing traffic congestion would have a rippling effect through all sectors of the economy.