It is difficult to argue about the key role of transportation in the economic and social development of a nation as a good transportation system allows individuals and goods to move to the places where they are expected. However, as the population in the world, and especially in some of its parts increases, there is a heated argument regarding possible means of overcoming multiple problems that are connected with transportation infrastructure. In the following paper, the issue of traffic congestion in Atlanta will be addressed in terms of its possible solutions that could be implemented with the aim of solving it.
The issue of traffic congestion in Atlanta has arisen because it is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The consequences of this problem for the city’s economy and for people’s personal lives are very disappointing. Time wasting is the biggest difficulty that drivers face on the road in Atlanta from day to day. However, time is one of the most precious commodities in people’s lives. Local people are overly concerned about the reason for the traffic issue, and it is even seen in the most popular themes for local epos: “Atlanta’s epic, daily traffic congestion, and the hapless drivers who grow old as they creep sluggishly from place to place, have long been the fodder of jokes and ridicule” (Grillo, 2009, p. 48). Besides, the environment of the city is also greatly affected by the reason of noise and air pollution that are caused by traffic gems. If the government does not offer an effective salvage for this sad situation, the seriousness of this problem will become much worse.
The argument around the issue of traffic congestion in Atlanta is getting more and more heated; however, all of its parties agree on the fact that the problem requires a multidimensional approach along with urgency in actions (Jeon, Amekudzi & Guensler, 2010).
One of the important measures, that can be implemented, is expanding MARTA into all 28 counties in Atlanta as the current situation, when it serves only 2 counties, does not make any changes for the better. Expanding MARTA will especially affect the improvement of the situation with traffic congestion in suburban areas.
The other strategy that would significantly improve the situation is the use of road pricing. Introducing and increasing toll prices during particular hours while providing low priced mass transit systems for commuters may discourage drivers to use their personal cars. As a result, the number of drivers on the road will be reduced, and thus, the traffic congestion situation will be improved. The governments of a number of places in the world including Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and many more reported the excellent results that were achieved by means of the use of road pricing (Jeon et al., 2010).
As a final point, it should be stated that none of the above-mentioned strategies may solve the issue of congestion in Atlanta unless it is applied in combination with the other one. In addition, the situation in the economy and demography in the region is ever-changing, and for this reason, the developers of solutions for the transportation infrastructure should keep on working on introducing more and more solutions for the traffic congestion problem in order to be abreast with the ever-changing situation.
References
Grillo, J. (2009). Keeping Georgia Moving. Georgia Trend, 24(6), 48-53.
Jeon, C., Amekudzi, A. A., & Guensler, R. L. (2010). Evaluating Plan Alternatives for Transportation System Sustainability: Atlanta Metropolitan Region. International Journal Of Sustainable Transportation, 4(4), 227-247