CONGESTION IN LARGE URBAN AGGLOMERATIONS AND SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE IT

Abstract

The increase in road traffic and transport demand in recent years, especially since the early 1990s, has caused traffic congestion, accidents, delays and environmental complications, especially in developing cities. Both cars and public transport are affected and it has numerous negative social consequences in addition to reducing economic efficiency. In densely populated areas, urbanization, followed by the increasing need for mobility, has been subjected to constant stress and consequently to the deterioration of efficiency and safety performance. The situation is further aggravated by the growing number of private cars. The transportation and traffic problems in every city are just a reflection of poor land use planning and organization. Improving the existing infrastructure involves prohibitive costs, therefore it is desirable to use it to its maximum capacity. Nowadays, cities face the challenge of improving the quality of life by limiting road congestion, reducing air pollution emissions and road accidents.