However, even though these measures seem to work, they short lived. They are only a short-term solution that can even lead to more problems in the long run if they are implemented in isolation.
I will first acknowledge and commend the ongoing road infrastructural developments in the country which is a major throughput. These developments couldn't have come at a better time than now. It is worth noting that good roads are a key driver to economic growth and as a result these roads are very important and timely.
Currently, the expansion of the Bertil Harding Highway is at advanced stages with the completed phases open to traffic. However, it has become a nightmare for both drivers and pedestrians plying the road at various sections of the highway. These issues range from congestion, lack of turning points and signage, frequent accidents etc.
I am not privy to the complete design of the new Bertil Harding Highway and not sure how the road will look after the completion of all the phases but several concerns have been raised about the road some of which are very valid. However, I will reserve my comment on the road design until after its completion.
My focus is on addressing traffic congestion in our various roads which is also complimented by poor transport system with people waiting for hours to secure vehicles to get to their destinations and commercial drivers adding salt to injury by making travellers pay multiple transport fares due to them breaking the journeys into different stops.
The truth is, constructing more roads and expanding the existing roads will lead to more traffic, increased air pollution, and a higher rate of accidents if not complimented with more sustainable initiatives. However, there are better, more sustainable solutions that can be implemented.
It is also worth noting that this write-up is in no way a criticism of the country's transport authorities. Rather, it is an outline of alternative solutions we can implement to ease the never ending traffic and transport problems.
THE PROBLEM
Traffic congestion is an issue that continues to affect parts of urban Gambia. As urbanization in the country continues, our populations is also increasing, the number of vehicles on the roads are also rising, which leads to severe delays and longer travel times.
Traditionally, the solution that many people believe is the way forward to this problem has been road expansions and constructing more roads. The logic behind this solution is simple: make the roads wide to house more vehicles, and the traffic will smoothly move. However, despite this idea sounding so appealing, road expansions often fail to deliver the desired results.
This is because the expansion will lead to an increase in demand. When new lanes or roads are added, it briefly eases the traffic congestion. But this does not continue for long. This is because the expansion will attract more drivers and the previous problem soon shows its face and the cycle repeats itself. This can be explained by the principle of supply and demand - when the supply of road space is increased, there will be a corresponding increase in demand for driving on the said road.
For us to really solve the problem of congestion, we need a lasting approach. This involves shifting the focus from accommodating more cars to promoting and improving public transportation, encouraging active modes of transportation such as cycling and walking, implementing smart traffic management, congestion pricing and parking fees.
Below is an elaboration of the alternative solutions to traffic congestion and ways to improve the public transport system. By understanding these, we can work towards creating a transport system that is not only less congested but also more livable, safe and sustainable for all road users.
THE SOLUTIONS
Public Transport System: Investing in reliable and accessible public transportation can encourage people to leave their cars at home and opt for public transit instead. It will also phase out the struggles that most public transport users face on a regular basis mostly in Greater Banjul area towards parts of West Coast Region.
For us to have a good and efficient public transport system, the government has to be a key player in the transport sector. The current system is so distressing to the point that travelers don not only spend hours on journeys that should have lasted between 30 to 45 minutes, they are also at the mercy of private commercial drivers who in many cases determine their own route and transport fare and cut their travels between two to four different stopping points forcing passengers to pay double or even triple the transport fare. The problem is also compounded with the constant struggle and hassle for vehicles while risking losing their belongings to thieves. Such can only make people yearn and strive to own private vehicles.
By investing in public transportation, the government and transport authorities can provide a sustainable alternative to private vehicles. This can include expanding existing public transit networks, improving infrastructure, and introducing new modes of transportation such as light rail or bus rapid transit. Just recently, we saw Senegal took similar route.
Public transportation offers several benefits that can help speed up travel time. Firstly, it allows for the movement of a large number of people in a single vehicle, reducing the number of cars on the road. This helps to optimize road space, reduce delays, lower carbon emissions and help improve the quality of air.
Furthermore, public transportation can be more cost-effective for individuals compared to owning and maintaining a private vehicle. I can confidently say that many vehicle owners will not hesitate to leave their private vehicles at home and use public transport if there is guarantee of efficiency and convenience. This can make it an attractive option for commuters, leading to a shift from cars to public transit, further reducing traffic congestion making them save money.
By extension, efficient public transport system can even reduce the pressure on housing needs in Urban Gambia caused by rural urban drift. If I can travel from Jarra Soma to Banjul within two hours or less, I will not mind staying in Jarra Soma and coming to work in Banjul or Greater Banjul area. This will reduce demand for urban settlements thereby reducing cost of rent. It can also spread developments in other parts of the country.
Promoting Active Transportation: We should promote cycling and walking by creating bicycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructures on our roads. This will help encourage people to choose these modes of transportation for shorter trips. This will not only reduce congestion, but will also promote a healthier lifestyle for the public. Most of the roads in the country are such that there is high interaction between pedestrians, cyclists and cars. Such can only increase the rate of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians.
Introducing Parking Fees
Since reducing the number of private cars on the road is the motive here, attaching fees to parking lots can go a long way in discouraging people from daily usage of their private cars. The effectiveness of this approach heavily depends on the efficiency of the public transport system. Whenever we introduce convenience to public transport, these methods will gradually gain prominence.
Intelligent Transport System: Introducing technology to our transport system will only boost efficiency. Unfortunately, Gambia lags behind in this aspect. Smart traffic management systems can play a crucial role in alleviating congestion and transport problems. Technologies like real-time traffic monitoring, adaptive traffic signals, intelligent routing, etc, can improve the flow of traffic and minimize delays.
Traffic Police Training: Also, there is need for capacity building of our traffic police officers. With the introduction of high traffic freeways (Bertil Harding Highway), it has become obvious to many that a lot of our traffic officers lack the skills and know how to effectively manage the flow of traffic especially at the roundabouts.
Finally, urban planning and land-use strategies should prioritize mixed-use developments. By creating communities where people can live, work, and access amenities within walking distance, the need for long travels and reliance on cars can be significantly reduced.
These alternative solutions offer long-term benefits that are more sustainable and effective in addressing traffic congestion and transport woes. Implementing these solutions can be challenging. However, the benefits outweigh the challenges and it worth the time and resources that are to be spent on it.
In conclusion, investing in public transportation is the right formular to solving the problems traffic congestion in Urban Gambia. When we focus on introducing a multimodal transportation system, we can effectively manage travel delays and create an efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport system that is accessible, reliable and friendly to the environment.
