Advancements in science and modern technology has enabled mankind to live longer and healthier. We can design faster and smarter transport modes. We build ultra-modern cities. The downfall is that the systems we build cannot accommodate all the people they are supposed to serve. We are over-crowding the planet, our roads and our cities and killing nature in order to accommodate an ever-growing population with ever-increasing needs. New York traffic conditions are now among the worst in the USA.
Stress, frustration and road rage due to over-crowded roads are some of the negative side-effects of modern times. Few things are more stressful and frustrating than missing a deadline or an important event or meeting due to being stuck in slow-moving traffic. It is thus small wonder that commuters these days shoot, attack and kill one another for the slightest provocation.
Road pricing in the form of tolls has thus far only managed to increase the blood pressure and stress levels of commuters without any noticeable improvement of the underlying problem. Paying toll money to buy less combusted roads has only affected their wallets and caused commuters to take detours in order to avoid the tolls - causing even more frustration and time wastage.
In a world where time equals money, the wastage of productive time due to congested roads has huge financial implications. This leads to stress and frustration, which in turn trigger serious health problems. Road rage has become a common part of modern life and incidents where commuters kill, maim or attack each other over trivial issues are rife.
The emotional, physical and psychological effect of over-crowded roads and traffic jams are rife and increasing on a world wide scale. Newspaper reports and cases of road rage have become part of society and city life's daily toils and turmoils.
Attempts to motivate commuters to travel in groups or via public transport and to use alternative, less congested routes, are mostly futile due to a lack of compensation or proper motivation. Most people prefer to travel with his/her own car via the shortest routes to save time and petrol. It seems that law enforced tolling systems whereby commuters are forced to pay for less congested roads are the only workable and sustainable solution at this stage.
There are, however, various pro's and cons to any tolling system. The fairness of the tariffs for specific demographic groups and vehicles, as well as the way in which the revenue will be spent, are some of the most crucial issues to consider. Especially in New York, commuters will be skeptical and unwilling to accept another tolling system so soon after the spectacular collapse of a previous one.
The fact that such anti-congestion tolling systems have proven to work in some cities such as London, does not necessarily mean it will be equally successful in other cities. Any campaign aimed at raising public support for such a system will have to focus on switching public opinion where it matters, namely offering tangible advantages to the commuters.
Stress, frustration and road rage due to over-crowded roads are some of the negative side-effects of modern times. Few things are more stressful and frustrating than missing a deadline or an important event or meeting due to being stuck in slow-moving traffic. It is thus small wonder that commuters these days shoot, attack and kill one another for the slightest provocation.
Road pricing in the form of tolls has thus far only managed to increase the blood pressure and stress levels of commuters without any noticeable improvement of the underlying problem. Paying toll money to buy less combusted roads has only affected their wallets and caused commuters to take detours in order to avoid the tolls - causing even more frustration and time wastage.
In a world where time equals money, the wastage of productive time due to congested roads has huge financial implications. This leads to stress and frustration, which in turn trigger serious health problems. Road rage has become a common part of modern life and incidents where commuters kill, maim or attack each other over trivial issues are rife.
The emotional, physical and psychological effect of over-crowded roads and traffic jams are rife and increasing on a world wide scale. Newspaper reports and cases of road rage have become part of society and city life's daily toils and turmoils.
Attempts to motivate commuters to travel in groups or via public transport and to use alternative, less congested routes, are mostly futile due to a lack of compensation or proper motivation. Most people prefer to travel with his/her own car via the shortest routes to save time and petrol. It seems that law enforced tolling systems whereby commuters are forced to pay for less congested roads are the only workable and sustainable solution at this stage.
There are, however, various pro's and cons to any tolling system. The fairness of the tariffs for specific demographic groups and vehicles, as well as the way in which the revenue will be spent, are some of the most crucial issues to consider. Especially in New York, commuters will be skeptical and unwilling to accept another tolling system so soon after the spectacular collapse of a previous one.
The fact that such anti-congestion tolling systems have proven to work in some cities such as London, does not necessarily mean it will be equally successful in other cities. Any campaign aimed at raising public support for such a system will have to focus on switching public opinion where it matters, namely offering tangible advantages to the commuters.
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