Traffic Jams: How to Solve the Problem in the City
When you’re heading out for a fun trip on the road, you never expect to sit in traffic for long hours. Traffic accidents happen for many reasons, congesting the roads and keeping people from their main destinations. The truth is, traffic jams can also be dangerous in many situations when people do not stop in time or divert their eyes from the road to take a peek at an accident or other distraction. There are many ways to take action against traffic jams, as well as many reasons why they happen in the first place.
Causes of Congestion
Roads Have Reached the Limit: The more the population grows in our nation, the more cars that are seen on the roadways. You would be surprised to see how the population has added to the roadways since the twentieth century, when cities attempted to solve issues by building wider roads. However, many organizations are working to solve the problem of congestion on the roadways. By investing in public transport, the government is making it much easier for people to get around without having to rely on their own vehicles for everything. Many services are now available such as buses, rail lines, and water transport means.
No Real Alternatives: Some cities just do not have adequate transport options in the city. In one of the major U.S. cities, Portland, Oregon, the city has invested heavily in bicycles as means of transport. This has led to more commuters using bikes than any other city.
Employers Avoiding the Issues at Hand: When people are traveling to and from work, it is common fact that congestion will occur. In recent years, with unemployment growing, traffic conditions have eased a bit. This shows us that employers should pay proper attention to these issues and work with employees to reach more flexible work hours.
Driver Behaviors: Some drivers are actually the cause of traffic jams, as they were driving erratically, slowing down too quickly, and causing a “ripple effect” of vehicle accidents and so forth. Using speed controls is one way to regulate these issues, causing traffic to move much faster.
Problems With Traffic Signals: Traffic signals are sometimes timed for the wrong kind of flow, such as rush hour. This means that cars are stopping more often and traffic is building up. Traffic signals, therefore, should be adjusted dynamically. One good example of this is the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and the way that they developed a system for adjusting signals in response to traffic demands.
The Search For Parking Spaces: 30% of traffic issues in cities is actually caused by drivers looking for parking. A good way to tackle this issue is optimizing street and off-street pricing to keep 10 or 30% of on street parking available throughout the day.
“Lane Courtesy”
Of course, something known as “lane courtesy” should be utilized at all times in these major cities as well. It is important to remember this simple rule because, if you are blocking the left lane, you are ultimately making the roads less safe and efficient for everybody who uses them. Here are some of the benefits of lane courtesy:
- Traffic is able to flow more smoothly, which lessens your chance of being involved in an accident. You may notice less tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic.
- Vehicles use the most gas when accelerating, which means that less braking will improve the fuel economy. You will notice you are receiving better gas mileage.
- Moving to the right can eliminate driver stress, which can also avoid conflict and road rage.
Traffic jams can be extremely frustrating, especially when you are attempting to get to work or go on a family vacation. There is always a question of, “When will I reach my final destination?” Traffic jams are also, very unfortunately, the cause of many accidents on the highways. If you have been involved in a traffic accident and sustained injuries, you can call us today. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi we will work for you to help you in your time of need.
