Beijing traffic.doc

Beijing trafficImagine over 3-million cars and 18-million people using the streets and roads, thats what Beijing will look like in 2008. Existing transport facilities are already unable to deal with the increasing traffic pressure. Will the situation ever improve and to what extent? What plans are being mapped out and will they be put in place in the near future?In recent years, traffic jams on major Beijing roads have been getting more and more frequent. The very first thing I do when I get up every morning is try to figure out how to get to work without getting stuck in traffic. I believe my experience is not an isolated one. The road network in the city is being expanded, but is still unable to meet the ever-increasing demand for traffic facilities. Many people worry if Beijing is capable of dealing with its current traffic demands, and especially whether it can meet the traffic needs of the 2008 Olympic Games. Lets take a look.A couple of years ago, the journey from Xizhimen in northwest Beijing to Dongzhimen in the east took around 20 minutes by public transport using the northern section of the 2nd ring road. Now, however, covering the same distance takes double the time, and if you get caught in traffic jams like this it can be as much as two hours.A Driver said, “There are too many cars and inexperienced drivers. Some sections of the roads are not designed properly. There are not enough exits on the 3rd Ring Road. Today I drove from the military museum to the airport. I went via the south 3rd ring road, traffic was banked up there. I chose the 4th ring road, the same. I had to go by the 5th ring road! ”“Driving is a nerve-racking experience for me. Too many cars on the roads! Its my first time today driving on the 3rd Ring Road. I often drive outside the 3rd Ring Road. Now Im sweating a lot. Even the air-conditioning doesnt help. From the Lize Overpass to the Liuli Overpass, Id to go up and down the slopes. I am very nervous and stressed,” said by a new driver.Another said, “When I bought my first car in 1997, it wasnt as crowded on the roads as it is now. There were traffic jams in only a few places. Now, the 2nd, and the west 3rd Ring Road are banked up all day long. ”Others complain that at rush hour Beijing roads are one big parking lot, and that riding a bike or even walking is often faster than driving. Indeed, cars cannot move once they get stuck on the road, but bikes still can. Bicyclists and pedestrians weaving their way between buses and cars in all directions are routine. Yet, thats not the worst. The coming winter reminds us of the disastrous December 7th two years ago when a sudden snow fall paralyzed Beijings entire transport system. The city is vulnerable to emergencies such as this. Traffic pressure in Beijing is one big headache for its residents and city planners.How did the problem start?At a press conference last week, Director Quan Yongshen of the Beijing Municipal Communications Research Center analyzed the reasons for traffic pressures.Quan Yongshen, Director of Beijing Municipal Communications Research Center, said, “A rapid increase in the number of automobiles, especially private cars, is the major contributor to traffic pressures in Beijing. Judging from its overall economic growth, Beijing has entered an era of rapid increase in car numbers. Another reason lies in the fact that Beijing is one of the leading cities in China and is experiencing rapid urbanization. The combination of these factors has resulted in major changes in supply and demand for transport facilities. Beijing has a severe shortage of land resources. Its an important historical city with several thousand years of history. Of the 62 square kilometers of land inside the 2nd Ring Road, protected historical sites take up 40 percent. Its impossible to carry out large-scale road construction projects here. The citys traffic problems are the result of all the competing pressures when the city reaches a certain stage of development. Its not simply a problem of the traffic system itself, at least not entirely. In other words, its not just a simple issue of more cars and less roads.”Up to now, the number of the citys motor vehicles has increased to 2-million, with 9-million bicycles. By 2008, the number of cars is expected to get close to 4-million, according to the director. Last year, Beijing recorded over 16-thousand traffic jams. In certain parts of the city, the rush hour extends to 11 hours a day. Although billions of yuan annually have been poured into building more roads over the past few years, it is still hard to balance supply and demand for traffic facilities. The citys poor traffic management and physical layout make it impossible to ease traffic snarls. Both central and local government offices, as well commercial and cultural locations, are concentrated in the downtown areas, forming a centripetal traffic structure with the bulk of vehicular and passenger flow moving towards the central area. There have been loud calls from the public for a more rational layout of the traffic network, including subway lines, flyovers, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, and for an increase in the capacity of public transport facilities such as public buses and railways.The art of achieving a balance between preserving historically significant sites and meeting the demand for growth is one of the conundrums facing city planners today.In early 1998, after many debates by specialists, the local government decided to shift its focus of construction from urban districts to suburban areas and from expansion of the city proper to transformation of urban traffic infrastructure. At last weeks press conference, Mr. Quan outlined the municipal governments future plans for relieving traffic problems.Quan said, “The provision of public transport facilities must be accelerated. Measures to be put in place over the next few years include establishing a rail transport network that will play a key role in the public transport system. Besides, a Bus Rapid Transit system or BRT system should be put in place. The advantages of such system are cost effectiveness and quick returns. Both systems are expected to play a major role in public transport. Inside the city proper, we wont encourage the use of cars. In other words, we will tighten up controls over the excessive use of cars. In the outer city area, we will encourage car use and provide enough transport facilities for cars. ”According to Quan, an efficient road network will be built connecting 10 new towns located around the city proper, offering good road facilities for car drivers living in these places. On the other hand, the use of cars in the city proper will be discouraged by measures such as raising parking fees. Besides, Park and Ride facilities will be in place along the outer city to encourage the use of public transport to get to the city center.Urban road networks will include the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th ring roads and 15 feeder lines. Another 15 arteries will link the central area and expressways, to the highest standards and the greatest possible capacity of transportation. All expressways will be built as three-level, fully enclosed lanes with no traffic lights. This will guarantee high-speed, continuous traffic flow, and smooth communication between urban districts and suburban areas.Poor south-north communication, which has plagued Beijing for many years, will be improved after the completion of two new subway lines. By 2006, subway lines will extend from the current 53 km to 138 k