Less Traffic = More Mobility.

Source : author's photograph (traffic in Chagaunas)

      "We have moved into an era where we are not simply concerned with a trip to work and back but with the multiple journeys that have become not just desirable but necessary in order to sustain our lifestyles each and every day. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that much of our life in cities is bound up with issues of how to get somewhere." (Jarvis et al. 2001:2).
      What does this statement mean, simply put it means, that there is so much traffic which is a barrier to mobility, that people choose where to go depending on the traffic. Some areas in the city may be impacted negatively because of this, consumers will refrain from traveling to cities. Mobility and free movement is what makes the city appealing, if this is removed it makes the city or certain parts inaccessible to consumers, potential investors etc. Traffic also causes air pollution and in some cases noise pollution. Basically, less traffic means more mobility.
      A solution to the reduction in traffic was examined previously in my blog, please be sure to look it up.

Another barrier to mobility and another culprit to traffic is the 'traffic light'. Although meant for good sometimes they cause more harm. Broken or malfunctioning lights confuse drivers causing even more of a pileup. Cities should have better response time to fixing broken lights. But then even when there are working lights there are Officers who direct the traffic in their own way. Do you think the officers help or make a bad situation even worse?










Photo showing traffic light.: Limited Mobility


Photo showing lots of mobility




Sources:

•  Barrett, H. and Hall, T. (2012) Urban Geography (4th edition). Oxon : Routledge. pg 283.

• Jarvis, H. , Pratt, A.C. and Cheng-Chong, P. (2001) The secret life of Cities: The social Reproduction of Everyday Life , Harlow:Prentice Hall.
• http://www.artie.com/20030826/arg_race_car.html