Inordinate amounts of traffic has long been a bugbear that citizens of Dhaka have had to contend with. However, the capital’s traffic seems to have mutated into unprecedented levels over the past few months, due to a period of lax enforcement of traffic laws and frequent processions from various quarters. It’s safe to say that we need immediate solutions to this recent rise in traffic.
Efforts to expand our roads and highways infrastructure has been unable to keep pace with the ever increasing amount of vehicles, while factors such as the encroachment of roads, incredibly poor traffic management, and indeed outright violations of traffic law are only some of the factors cited by experts for the worsening traffic conditions.
The current administration recently announced that it is bringing back red and green traffic lights into the city, while six other recommendations are also being followed such as more rigorous enforcement of traffic laws, the removal of illegal vehicles, clearing-up of intersections, and designated bus stops for boarding passengers. Yes, some of these recommendations may go some ways in reducing the current, untenable levels of traffic in our capital -- but will they go far enough?
The interim government has already shown its willingness to work with experts when it comes to dealing with Dhaka’s traffic, but in addition to the obvious solutions the administration would be well advised to seek more innovative ways as well. For instance, congestion charge rates have proven to be a workable solution for cities such as London and Singapore, while number plate restrictions on an odd-even rationing system is another potential measure -- the government should consider running feasibility tests on such alternative traffic solutions.
There is a way out of our traffic problem, but we need to be smart about it.
Efforts to expand our roads and highways infrastructure has been unable to keep pace with the ever increasing amount of vehicles, while factors such as the encroachment of roads, incredibly poor traffic management, and indeed outright violations of traffic law are only some of the factors cited by experts for the worsening traffic conditions.
The current administration recently announced that it is bringing back red and green traffic lights into the city, while six other recommendations are also being followed such as more rigorous enforcement of traffic laws, the removal of illegal vehicles, clearing-up of intersections, and designated bus stops for boarding passengers. Yes, some of these recommendations may go some ways in reducing the current, untenable levels of traffic in our capital -- but will they go far enough?
The interim government has already shown its willingness to work with experts when it comes to dealing with Dhaka’s traffic, but in addition to the obvious solutions the administration would be well advised to seek more innovative ways as well. For instance, congestion charge rates have proven to be a workable solution for cities such as London and Singapore, while number plate restrictions on an odd-even rationing system is another potential measure -- the government should consider running feasibility tests on such alternative traffic solutions.
There is a way out of our traffic problem, but we need to be smart about it.
