Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Expressways, bus lanes, widening viaducts or interconnecting motorways alone may not be the solution to Auckland's traffic congestion. The need of the hour is an integrated approach that brings together and connects all the individual transit systems.
"If a commuter is informed about the slowing moving traffic zones and is aware that an alternate mode of transport is a faster option to reach the desired destination, it represents how integration among the transit modes and timely information, will help reduce congestion and pollution by reduction of one car on the street in addition to the time saved by the commuter." says Sudhakar Ram, Group CEO Mastek
He further adds, "While an integrated transport system is an effective solution to the congestion problems, a robust public transport system will be the base of this structure. Presently in Auckland only 7% of the population use public transport. The reduction in congestion at Auckland will require a paradigm shift in the public transport systems, making them more user-friendly and in effect the favoured form of transport for Aucklanders."
It is known that most Aucklanders have a motor way mentality; hence Road Pricing is an important factor in congestion control. Road Pricing as an initiative has been successful all across the globe and has reduced traffic in the highly congested areas of London by around 35%. Even in Stockholm, where a congestion charge has been levied on a trial basis, vehicle traffic reduced by 25% in the first week.
Congestion charging is a lucrative option, but it is important to determine the goals that are to be achieved through it in Auckland. Congestion relief tolls should always be assessed in the context of other possible alternatives. Cities like London have a sturdy transport system unlike Auckland. For charging to be successful, it has to be linked to other possible strategies to reduce congestion. Utilizing the new revenues via tolls funds to finance infrastructure improvements, manage travel demand by public transport and raise and address environmental impacts is essential.
The problem of congestion in Auckland will only exacerbate as time passes by. It is thus very evident that some tough measures need to be taken to arrest the situation at this point itself. A holistic solution needs to be created, taking into account all of Auckland's needs - a solution focusing on the various elements of congestion and integrating various other existing and new complementary transit systems.
Drivers in London spent half their time in queues and lost an estimated 2-4 million pounds weekly. The London Congestion Charging project was awarded to Capita, UK's leading professional and support services company, which contracted Mastek Ltd. to develop the software for the multi-channel customer interface and integrate several other components into the overall solution.
Bedraj Tripathy, Mastek Limited, +91 98201 81817 bedrajt@mastek.com
Source: Mastek Limited (Business Wire India)
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