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MrBoombastic · 3rd January 2006, 11:37

I often wonder what the traffic/ parking situation in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru will be like in say 5 years from now (Most of our cities don't even have space for road expansion, new roads, etc.)? … What are your thoughts on this and what solutions do you think we Indians will take to tackle the situation?

mohit · 3rd January 2006, 11:44

The way things are growing, the only viable solution is a mass transit system. There should be a phased transition where the existing roads are improved/fly overs built and then eventually a mass transit system like the metro takes over. We were discussing this the other day - a bus can potentially reduce the number of cars on road by 20-30 (Considering most of us don't car pool).

lamborghini · 3rd January 2006, 11:47

Well the main reason for the traffic problems are poor roads and no traffic discipline.
If the government can work on that, it would help matters alot.
Also a sealink like the Worli-Bandra one and nariman Point would help.
Tax benefits for cleaner and smaller cars would help too as would reducing the interest on second hand car loans.

tifosikrishna · 3rd January 2006, 11:49

hey its a very pertinent question to be debated here. i feel the only way out of this congestion is my improving the public transport system drastically. rate of growth of vehicle population will definitely outpace any increase in road space.

as individuals, i feel congestions to an extent can be avoided by following the traffic rules and using common sense while driving. secondly we can follow methods like car pooling and use the concept of flexi timings (if possible) to avoid peak hours.

navin · 3rd January 2006, 12:03

1. Improve the quality of Mass Transit including Taxis. NYC, London, Frankfurt, H/K, Sing, etc.. can do it why not us.
2. Tax vehicles HEAVILY via Parking charges (Rs.50 per hour, 80 for 2, 100 for 3, Rs. 200 per day) etc...
3. Offer TDR for parking lots and privatise the business.
4. Use the sea. Think Ferry systems. Mumbai esp can benefit from this.
5. Offer Sunday licences (reduced tax for cars that are used only on Sundays and public holidays and off peak hours).

Zappo · 3rd January 2006, 12:18

Every city may have its own needs and solutions to problem that may not necessarily fit onto others. Hyderabad for one has a peculiar problem. It has one of the lowest percentage of land under roads, its just between 3-4%. Compare that to Mumbai's 15-18%, Delhi's 20-23% etc. To top that Hyderabad also adds to the number of vehicles on the road at a furious pace. All this adds to a grim scenario of hyderabad having one of the highest vehicle density in the country.

I believe for a city like this the solution will be a bit different. While the current mode of public transport (MMTS, RTC) will need to be strengthened and extended it is in the road extensions and parking facilities where the solution lies. Already Hyderabad is undergoing a massive reconstruction phase since last 6 months. Roads will not only need widening but multi-tiered ones will be needed. We will also need multi-level car parks that can accomodate vehicles vertically as there is no space to park vehicles in this city.

Alongwith all these Hyderabad will need some strong policing to knock some senses on the road users. People here need to learn that you can not stop your car on the 2nd lane of the road, sitting bang in the middle of flowing traffic and start chatting merrily on the phone. For that matter they need to understand that they can not park their car with the tail jutting out on the road by a mile causing the traffic to swerve into the opposite lane!

Surya · 3rd January 2006, 13:06

A very needed topic at this hour.
Traffic congestions can only be minimised and can be done by

Improving city transport system. (Less waiting time and improved facilities)
Better Laning of the roads. Slow vehicles not to hinder fast moving vehicles.
Educating on basic traffic sense.
Sanctioning driving licenses only after extensive testing of ability.

We wont even need flyovers and the like if lane system are followed diligently and the drivers have some driving sense left.

Parking problems might occur and can be reduced by constructing multi-floored parking complexes. This should solve the problem to an extent.

Surya

Abhay · 3rd January 2006, 14:56

As said above mass transits (metro) would help and better roads and more traffic sense too.

It might not be popular among car owners (like most of us) but a "congestion charge" like the one in London (£5 to enter city centre) (say Rs 100 here) to take your car in the busy part of the city during peak hours.

quicksilver · 3rd January 2006, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abhay

As said above mass transits (metro) would help and better roads and more traffic sense too.

It might not be popular among car owners (like most of us) but a "congestion charge" like the one in London (£5 to enter city centre) (say Rs 100 here) to take your car in the busy part of the city during peak hours.

The problem is, a Mass transit system will take a very long time to complete and will also raise a lot of legal issues with people having to relocate etc....

The congestion charge may control the traffic to some extent but I don't think it could be implemented successfully like it works in London/singapore....

the best way out is to educate our drivers about Driving etiquette, rules, etc.

tifosikrishna · 3rd January 2006, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by quicksilver

The problem is, a Mass transit system will take a very long time to complete and will also raise a lot of legal issues with people having to relocate etc....

no sriram, things have changed for better. land acquisition has become easier than it was before. metro rail in delhi has set a precedent. it has caused very less incovenience to public and it has been rolled out in a phased manner within a reasonable time frame. may be other metro projects can follow this model.

secondly, things like congestion charges/hike in parking charges may not go well with public unless we have a good public transport system at the first place. once we have a good system in place, then we can think on those lines.

regards
krishna.

airfoil · 3rd January 2006, 16:44

Reinforce the Urban planning division and think BIG for all future expansion of the city - wider roads, provide scope for laying railway lines as needed etc.

Increase the number of highways leading out of the city to promote development along these roads - to alleviate the problem of development only along highways. These highways should lead to a ring road of some sort.

Decentralize! Why is it that most cities have their nerve centers in one, congested and relatively ancient area with poor road infrastructure? Spread out to the extent where the suburbs don't need to visit the city for everything. This goes double when it comes to IT parks - don't have them all in one area.

While growth is probably good for most, draw a line and know when to stop development in a given area - especially when the roads leading to the area are all choked up!

Improve Mass Transit systems to the extent where people would hesitate to use their own vehicles, especially for regular commutes.

Educate people about road sense - a lot of the traffic jams could be avoided if a few people stuck to their side of the road and parked responsibly. Help the authorities understand that this should be a continous process that a dedicated body should undertake, not some brouhaha during the annual 'traffic safety week'!

Ban slow moving vehicles (such as the 7 seater autorickshaws), bullock carts and rickshaws within city limits. To an extent, with limited success this has been done in Hyderabad.

Restrict or prevent the movement of heavy highway traffic through the city by diverting them via ring roads.

Car pool! If 4 people could share their daily ride, it would theoretically reduce the number of cars by 75%!

Phase out the three wheeler autorickshaw! (I couldn't resist this one. Seriously, shouldn't this contraption be replaced?)

DrunkenMonk · 3rd January 2006, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

5. Offer Sunday licences (reduced tax for cars that are used only on Sundays and public holidays and off peak hours).

Now, *that* would be an easy thing to implement and police!

- mvnk

quicksilver · 3rd January 2006, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosikrishna

no sriram, things have changed for better. land acquisition has become easier than it was before. metro rail in delhi has set a precedent.

I agree... but will they be able to replicate that success in a place like chennai ? I sure wish it could hapen... but I have my doubts.

If we had good transit systems, I personally would leave my car at home and take the train/bus to work and enjoy the car in the weekends.....

vivekiny2k · 3rd January 2006, 16:59

put a team of intelellectuals like tbhpians on the job.

But, that's the most difficult(unlikely is the correct word?) part of the job.

nitrous · 3rd January 2006, 17:01

CARPOOL!! Dont u think its missing here??

3rd January 2006, 11:37	#1
MrBoombastic BANNED Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 253 Thanked: 6 Times	Bumper To Bumper I often wonder what the traffic/ parking situation in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru will be like in say 5 years from now (Most of our cities don't even have space for road expansion, new roads, etc.)? … What are your thoughts on this and what solutions do you think we Indians will take to tackle the situation?
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 11:44	#2
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 677 Thanked: 168 Times	The way things are growing, the only viable solution is a mass transit system. There should be a phased transition where the existing roads are improved/fly overs built and then eventually a mass transit system like the metro takes over. We were discussing this the other day - a bus can potentially reduce the number of cars on road by 20-30 (Considering most of us don't car pool).
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 11:47	#3
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	Well the main reason for the traffic problems are poor roads and no traffic discipline. If the government can work on that, it would help matters alot. Also a sealink like the Worli-Bandra one and nariman Point would help. Tax benefits for cleaner and smaller cars would help too as would reducing the interest on second hand car loans.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 11:49	#4
tifosikrishna BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: chennai Posts: 827 Thanked: 383 Times View My Garage	hey its a very pertinent question to be debated here. i feel the only way out of this congestion is my improving the public transport system drastically. rate of growth of vehicle population will definitely outpace any increase in road space. as individuals, i feel congestions to an extent can be avoided by following the traffic rules and using common sense while driving. secondly we can follow methods like car pooling and use the concept of flexi timings (if possible) to avoid peak hours.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 12:03	#5
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,300 Times	1. Improve the quality of Mass Transit including Taxis. NYC, London, Frankfurt, H/K, Sing, etc.. can do it why not us. 2. Tax vehicles HEAVILY via Parking charges (Rs.50 per hour, 80 for 2, 100 for 3, Rs. 200 per day) etc... 3. Offer TDR for parking lots and privatise the business. 4. Use the sea. Think Ferry systems. Mumbai esp can benefit from this. 5. Offer Sunday licences (reduced tax for cars that are used only on Sundays and public holidays and off peak hours).
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 12:18	#6
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,922 Thanked: 2,699 Times	Every city may have its own needs and solutions to problem that may not necessarily fit onto others. Hyderabad for one has a peculiar problem. It has one of the lowest percentage of land under roads, its just between 3-4%. Compare that to Mumbai's 15-18%, Delhi's 20-23% etc. To top that Hyderabad also adds to the number of vehicles on the road at a furious pace. All this adds to a grim scenario of hyderabad having one of the highest vehicle density in the country. I believe for a city like this the solution will be a bit different. While the current mode of public transport (MMTS, RTC) will need to be strengthened and extended it is in the road extensions and parking facilities where the solution lies. Already Hyderabad is undergoing a massive reconstruction phase since last 6 months. Roads will not only need widening but multi-tiered ones will be needed. We will also need multi-level car parks that can accomodate vehicles vertically as there is no space to park vehicles in this city. Alongwith all these Hyderabad will need some strong policing to knock some senses on the road users. People here need to learn that you can not stop your car on the 2nd lane of the road, sitting bang in the middle of flowing traffic and start chatting merrily on the phone. For that matter they need to understand that they can not park their car with the tail jutting out on the road by a mile causing the traffic to swerve into the opposite lane! Last edited by Zappo : 3rd January 2006 at 12:20.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 13:06	#7
Surya BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai. Now in BlueBell, PA, USA Posts: 49 Thanked: 0 Times	A very needed topic at this hour. Traffic congestions can only be minimised and can be done by Improving city transport system. (Less waiting time and improved facilities) Better Laning of the roads. Slow vehicles not to hinder fast moving vehicles. Educating on basic traffic sense. Sanctioning driving licenses only after extensive testing of ability. We wont even need flyovers and the like if lane system are followed diligently and the drivers have some driving sense left. Parking problems might occur and can be reduced by constructing multi-floored parking complexes. This should solve the problem to an extent. Surya
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 14:56	#8
Abhay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 727 Thanked: 11 Times	As said above mass transits (metro) would help and better roads and more traffic sense too. It might not be popular among car owners (like most of us) but a "congestion charge" like the one in London (£5 to enter city centre) (say Rs 100 here) to take your car in the busy part of the city during peak hours.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 16:44	#11
airfoil BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 318 Thanked: 81 Times	Reinforce the Urban planning division and think BIG for all future expansion of the city - wider roads, provide scope for laying railway lines as needed etc. Increase the number of highways leading out of the city to promote development along these roads - to alleviate the problem of development only along highways. These highways should lead to a ring road of some sort. Decentralize! Why is it that most cities have their nerve centers in one, congested and relatively ancient area with poor road infrastructure? Spread out to the extent where the suburbs don't need to visit the city for everything. This goes double when it comes to IT parks - don't have them all in one area. While growth is probably good for most, draw a line and know when to stop development in a given area - especially when the roads leading to the area are all choked up! Improve Mass Transit systems to the extent where people would hesitate to use their own vehicles, especially for regular commutes. Educate people about road sense - a lot of the traffic jams could be avoided if a few people stuck to their side of the road and parked responsibly. Help the authorities understand that this should be a continous process that a dedicated body should undertake, not some brouhaha during the annual 'traffic safety week'! Ban slow moving vehicles (such as the 7 seater autorickshaws), bullock carts and rickshaws within city limits. To an extent, with limited success this has been done in Hyderabad. Restrict or prevent the movement of heavy highway traffic through the city by diverting them via ring roads. Car pool! If 4 people could share their daily ride, it would theoretically reduce the number of cars by 75%! Phase out the three wheeler autorickshaw! (I couldn't resist this one. Seriously, shouldn't this contraption be replaced?) Last edited by airfoil : 3rd January 2006 at 16:56.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 16:59	#14
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	put a team of intelellectuals like tbhpians on the job. But, that's the most difficult(unlikely is the correct word?) part of the job.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2006, 17:01	#15
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	CARPOOL!! Dont u think its missing here??
	() Thanks