Advancements in science and modern technology has enabled mankind to live longer and healthier. We can design faster and smarter transport modes. We build ultra-modern cities. The downfall is that the systems we build cannot accommodate all the people they are supposed to serve. We are over-crowding the planet, our roads and our cities and killing nature in order to accommodate an ever-growing population with ever-increasing needs. New York traffic conditions are now among the worst in the USA.
Stress, frustration and road rage due to over-crowded roads are some of the negative side-effects of modern times. Few things are more stressful and frustrating than missing a deadline or an important event or meeting due to being stuck in slow-moving traffic. It is thus small wonder that commuters these days shoot, attack and kill one another for the slightest provocation.
Over-crowded roads that bring traffic to a standstill has become a serious international problem. Despite various costly and innovative efforts to combat it, the problem seems to grow worse as more and more people move to the cities in order to earn a better living. In most countries, public transport and lift clubs seem to be ineffective and/or inadequate to curb the increasing number of vehicles that flood the roads.
According to the latest reports based on the acclaimed INRIX Traffic Scorecard, there has been a 20 percent increase in the average travelling time of New Yorkers due to over-crowded roads. This data, gathered from various sources and statistics, is considered to be the most accurate and reliable indicator of traffic conditions in metropolitan cities in the United States. Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco and Austin topped the list, with commuters of the City of Angels now losing a whopping 64 hours per year due to combusted roads.
Most people know the frustration and feeling of helplessness one experiences when one is in a hurry and suddenly forced to a crawling pace or standstill when the road is blocked due to an accident or construction work. If this frustration and stress become part of one's daily routine, it inevitably leads to so-called modern illnesses like cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.
Attempts to motivate commuters to travel in groups or via public transport and to use alternative, less congested routes, are mostly futile due to a lack of compensation or proper motivation. Most people prefer to travel with his/her own car via the shortest routes to save time and petrol. It seems that law enforced tolling systems whereby commuters are forced to pay for less congested roads are the only workable and sustainable solution at this stage.
There are, however, various pro's and cons to any tolling system. The fairness of the tariffs for specific demographic groups and vehicles, as well as the way in which the revenue will be spent, are some of the most crucial issues to consider. Especially in New York, commuters will be skeptical and unwilling to accept another tolling system so soon after the spectacular collapse of a previous one.
The fact that such anti-congestion tolling systems have proven to work in some cities such as London, does not necessarily mean it will be equally successful in other cities. Any campaign aimed at raising public support for such a system will have to focus on switching public opinion where it matters, namely offering tangible advantages to the commuters.
Stress, frustration and road rage due to over-crowded roads are some of the negative side-effects of modern times. Few things are more stressful and frustrating than missing a deadline or an important event or meeting due to being stuck in slow-moving traffic. It is thus small wonder that commuters these days shoot, attack and kill one another for the slightest provocation.
Over-crowded roads that bring traffic to a standstill has become a serious international problem. Despite various costly and innovative efforts to combat it, the problem seems to grow worse as more and more people move to the cities in order to earn a better living. In most countries, public transport and lift clubs seem to be ineffective and/or inadequate to curb the increasing number of vehicles that flood the roads.
According to the latest reports based on the acclaimed INRIX Traffic Scorecard, there has been a 20 percent increase in the average travelling time of New Yorkers due to over-crowded roads. This data, gathered from various sources and statistics, is considered to be the most accurate and reliable indicator of traffic conditions in metropolitan cities in the United States. Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco and Austin topped the list, with commuters of the City of Angels now losing a whopping 64 hours per year due to combusted roads.
Most people know the frustration and feeling of helplessness one experiences when one is in a hurry and suddenly forced to a crawling pace or standstill when the road is blocked due to an accident or construction work. If this frustration and stress become part of one's daily routine, it inevitably leads to so-called modern illnesses like cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.
Attempts to motivate commuters to travel in groups or via public transport and to use alternative, less congested routes, are mostly futile due to a lack of compensation or proper motivation. Most people prefer to travel with his/her own car via the shortest routes to save time and petrol. It seems that law enforced tolling systems whereby commuters are forced to pay for less congested roads are the only workable and sustainable solution at this stage.
There are, however, various pro's and cons to any tolling system. The fairness of the tariffs for specific demographic groups and vehicles, as well as the way in which the revenue will be spent, are some of the most crucial issues to consider. Especially in New York, commuters will be skeptical and unwilling to accept another tolling system so soon after the spectacular collapse of a previous one.
The fact that such anti-congestion tolling systems have proven to work in some cities such as London, does not necessarily mean it will be equally successful in other cities. Any campaign aimed at raising public support for such a system will have to focus on switching public opinion where it matters, namely offering tangible advantages to the commuters.
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