Page 72 - TT mag Oct-Nov -Digital
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SMART MOBILITY 2018
Setting the tone for the panel that its public transport capacity is
discussion, the moderator Nirav Shah, better utilised.
Partner at PwC, gave the example of A congestion charge could act as a
different cities that have their own deterrent to private vehicles. Tel Aviv uses
urban mobility problems. Speaking technology to implement dynamic tolling,
about Mumbai – where this conference by calculating the number of vehicles in
was held – he explained how the bulk each lane and plotting alternative routes
of traffic moves from the north to as well. Tolls increase during peak hours.
the south in the morning, and in the But if a vehicle is ferrying more than
reverse direction in the evening. This three people, the toll is waived off; these
is because offices and government influences individual travel behaviour and
buildings are concentrated in the south incentivises shared mobility.
of the city, while residential suburbs He also spoke of the Colombian city
are in the north. There are morning of Medellín, which is similar to Indian
“If we want to move and evening peaks in traffic, but the cities in terms of population density,
supply of transport remains relatively
people from private to static. Mumbai needs to account for the informal dwellings and urban sprawl
that pushes residences to the periphery
public transport, we increased demand uptake and plan the of the city. With a population of around
will have to give them supply of transport accordingly. 30 lakhs, it implemented a BRTS, but
He said, “If we want to move people
only in the heart of the city. Capacity
better, more reliable, from private to public transport, we utilisation was less than optimal,
and efficient options”. will have to give them better, more because it didn’t solve the problem
reliable, and efficient options”. He also of ferrying people from the periphery
questioned whether we can change to the central business district, and
Nirav Shah when people have to be moved or if hence didn’t reduce travel time. The
we will have to change the land-use authorities then designed a cable car
pattern of the city itself. Mumbai needs route from the periphery to the centre,
to redistribute its commercial and with stations that overlapped with BRTS
residential pockets to be closer to one stops, enabling seamless transport from
another, and change office timings in homes to offices. BRTS usage shot up,
certain areas to avoid peaks, ensuring and a two-hour commute was reduced
72 October-November ’18 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com
