Do you think traffic congestion will ever be eliminated from urban areas?

Question

I did a research paper on this topic and it was interesting to see the multiple ideas and arguments people had over traffic problems.

Some felt that since traffic congestion has plagued the entire United States, it was impossible to solve transportation problems. Therefore, fundings should be cut and spent where it could be more effective.

Others, however, believed that though traffic congestion is a problem, there are still several ways to at least alleviate it. And government should actually increase funding for transportation improvements.

Based on your knowledge and experience, do you personally believe that these transportation failures can be permanently fixed? Most importantly, why?

Answer 1

It may never be possible to eliminate traffic congestion entirely, especially in high-density urban areas, but the best we can do is give people alternatives and make sure that driving alone isn't people's only choice. A combination of telecommuting, carpooling and public transit will make sure people have alternatives to being stuck in traffic. Carpool lanes are required to provide the incentive for sharing the ride and reward those who are part of the solution to traffic. Transit options must go beyond the ordinary city bus to things like rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail and, where density allows, subway service. Cities and suburbs must become more walkable so that people can better use transit service and maybe even avoid having to take transit at all. Cities can also become more bike-friendly by adding bike paths and bike lanes. There is no one single solution, but by giving people alternatives, people don't have to feel like they're trapped. But government has to play a necessary role in providing and/or promoting these alternatives.

Answer 2

I have little hope that the problem will be eliminated. It seems that the government or bureaucracy in general always seems to spend money on the wrong things. Maybe.... maybe... if a Mayor of a certain city (hopefully San Antonio real soon!) starts at a very micro-managing level, then their can be a beginning to a change in that specific urban area. But, the officials in that urban area have to be willing to make sure the budgets meet that specific need.

Think how hard it is to change official's minds or encourage and make sure that our cities get funding in what areas we need the funding in.

I would think what it all boils down to, is this: if traffic congestion and other transportation problems are an issue to elected officials of these needy urban areas is a problem to THEM SPECIFICALLY then change may occur. Otherwise, I don't know what our chances are of change.

Also, we must consider the growth rate of our nation and the size of these urban areas. Look at the growth rate in CA? my god. Personally, I live in San Antonio, TX. The boundaries of the city are only so big, yet population continues to grow...

It is a nightmare we may never see an end to.

Answer 3

Hopefully, not. The differences in rural and urban areas result from population density. Technology will make it possible for many to live farther outside the city. I moved from Oregon to Cali and I always wonder how people can pay $500, 000 dollars for a six-plex with no yard, smashed together with a 30 other 6-plexes and still pay home owners assoc. fees and let somebody tell them what color to paint it and how much noise to make...and they call it a house. Currently, on the drive to work (8 miles) there are 5 of those communities being built. I think about the quality of life in this country and wonder how to keep it form going downhill. I wonder what will become of us if the older homes near the downtown areas are replaced with such community developments. I think about what will happen to the rural areas, when the cities are overrun with housing developments. Will they become elitist communities-accesible only to the wealthy? Again, my answer is hopefully not.

Answer 4

I feel that urban sprawl is the primary reason that traffic congestion continues to grow. I believe that there is a definite correlation between the two and that if one continues to increase the other will as well. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and see this everyday.

Answer 5

Easily, but our system doesn't allow the motivation to do it.
If traffic and fuel costs and environmental degredation are truly important to us, we can just pass a law that any company with more than 10 employees has to provide transportation to its employees.
People would immediately be encouraged to telecommute, ride buses, even be given vans to take home to pick up other employees.
It ain't all that difficult, but we first have to get rid of the auto industry lobbies and the construction lobbies.

Answer 6

Nope! Too many people in the world! The only way to cure too much population.....well.....you can guess. That will be the only way to solve that or unless we figure out a way to use air space more productively but that would become a problem also if that was the predominant way of transportation. We cant win and never will, that will always be the plaque of life, problems!

Answer 7

dude ..have a look at the cities in the developing countries e.g. mumbai or delhi in india before thinking this is the end of the world for united states.
why doesn't usa invest in mass rapid transport system instead of appeasing the auto and oil lobbies?
if u can get the answer to that, i'm sure you'll find out the answer to the question you've asked here...

all the best for your search...

Answer 8

Only if they start regulating the number of cars families can own and when they are allowed to drive. At times I think that's a good idea becasue I hate traffic and driving in general, but when the government starts regulating things like that only bad things happen.

Answer 9

Probably not. Now that we have "the net" we should spread out more. It would be nice if there were 100 smaller communities spread around than one major polluted city.

If employers would lighten up a bit and be a more lenient about work hours and telecommuting and such, it would help make "rush hour" a little better.

Answer 10

Absolutely. They can be fixed. Because there are many bright people out there who will pool their ideas and come up with something.