SECONDARY 2GEOGRAPHYCHAPTER 4TRANSPORT

HOW DO WE KEEP PEOPLE MOVING?

* SLIDES ARE TO BE USED ALONGSIDE THE TEXTBOOK

TransportA feature of cities is their rapidly increasing population, either due to natural increase or rural-urban migration.

As cities become more crowded, commuting can become a challenge. If traffic is not well-managed, it leads to traffic congestion, causing economic loss and environmental pollution.

Managing traffic congestion is an important task. Some cities have chosen to solve the issue by building more roads and highways, and an efficient public transport system.

Singapore faces challenges, such as limited land supply and a growing population. Hence, we need to consider carefully some ways to improve the traffic situation.

INVESTIGATING TRANSPORT

How can we keep people moving?

- What is traffic congestion?

- Where is traffic congestion found in

the city?- Why does traffic

congestion occur?

- How do some cities manage traffic

congestion?

- How does traffic congestion affect people and the environment?

ACTIVITY 1

• Look through the previous slide

• Develop as many questions you can about ‘Transport’

• You would attempt to answer these questions as we go through the slides

What is Traffic Congestion?- Definition

- Characteristics

Where is Traffic Congestion found in the city?

- Describe Distribution

Why does traffic congestion occur?

- Explain the causes

How does traffic congestion affect people and the environment?

- Describe Impact- Show concern for people who are affected

How do some cities manage traffic congestion?

- Describe and explain strategies- Describe benefits and challenges of

various strategies- Appreciate challenges faced by

planners in managing transport issues

What are we going to learn?

WHAT IS TRAFFIC CONGESTION

•Characteristics of urban transport- Cities have a wider variety of transport modes,

higher density of transport networks and better quality transport infrastructure, compared to rural areas• Traffic Congestion- More vehicles than the road can handle

VARIETY OF TRANSPORT MODES• Modes of transportation refer to the types of transport used to

facilitate the movement of people or goods from one place to another.• Modes of transportation can be classified as either private or public.• Private transport refers to transport owned by individuals, such as

motorcycles and cars.• Public transport refers to transport provided by the government or

private companies, such as buses, trains and taxis.

Public Transport Private Transport

- Buses- Trains- Taxis

- Cars- Motorcycles

DENSITY OF TRANSPORT NETWORKS• A transport network refers to a system of transport routes connecting

a set of nodes• A node refers to a place where lines in a network cross or join• The nodes are junctions and terminals• A route refers to the connection between two nodes• The number of routes and nodes determine the density of transport

networks• The greater the number of routes and nodes, the greater the network

density.

DENSITY OF TRANSPORT NETWORKNodes Routes• Place where lines in a network

cross or join• Connection between two nodes

A dense transport network is one which is highly developed and well-connected

Such a network makes it easier for people to get around the city.

NodesConnection

Routes

QUALITY OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE• Transport infrastructure refers to facilities such as roads,

railway tracks and bus terminals.• The quality of transport infrastructure can be measured

by indicators such as capacity, efficiency, reliability, safety and comfort level.• Examples : well-paved and well-lit road with many lanes• Example : road with potholes

Large CapacityAble to move large

numbers of people at one time Characteristics of a

high-quality transport

infrastructure

EfficientFrequent services to move

people quickly

ComfortableClean travelling

environment allows for a comfortable commute

SafeLittle danger of car

accidents, bus collisions or even train derailing

Presence of safety features such as track barriers and

emergency buttons on trains

Dependable and Reliable

Transport system can be depended upon to move

people constantly, on time and with few interruptions

QUALITY OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTUREGood Quality Bad Quality

• Well-Paved, Well-Lit Roads• Multiple Lanes• Allows vehicles to move

quickly

• Poorly-maintained road• Narrow Lanes

REVISION• Take out a piece of foolscap paper• Answer the questions• 1. Define traffic congestion. • 2. Describe the characteristics of traffic congestion.

• You would be given 5 minutes to attempt each question

Q1 DEFINE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

ANS : Traffic congestion is a situation where there are more vehicles than the road can handle. Roads are overcrowded with too many vehicles, leading to traffic congestion.

Q2 DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

ANS :The characteristics of a traffic congestion are slow travelling speeds, longer-than-usual travelling times, vehicular queues of more than 15 minutes and vehicles that are not moving. Traffic congestion also tends to occur during peak hours, which is the time of the day when many people are on their way to work or on their way home from work. In bad traffic congestion, the travelling speed of a vehicle may be as slow as 10 kilometres per hour in comparison to a normal speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour. Due to the slow travelling speeds and vehicular queues, vehicles take several minutes or hours more to reach their destination

WHERE IS TRAFFIC CONGESTION FOUND IN THE CITY?• The CBD, Central Business District• It is the commercial centre where businesses such as

financial institutions are concentrated in the city• Hence, the CBD has to be readily accessible to everyone• The CBD is thus the most well-connected part of the city to

cater to large pedestrian and vehicular flows• There is high flow of traffic on the roads within the CBD

because many people commute to and from the CBD

CAUSES OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION

• Separation of work and residential areas•Movement from one part of the city to another to

obtain or provide goods and services• Inadequate transport infrastructure and poor

provision of transport services

SEPARATION OF WORK AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS• People often work and live in different parts of the city• Places of work are often located far away from housing areas• This results in the need for people to commute to work

Commute

To commute means to travel some distance between one’s home and place of work on a regular basis

CASE STUDY : SINGAPORE• People work in the CBD (Central Business District)• However, many people live in the west of Singapore, namely

Jurong, Clementi, Choa Chu Kang etc• There is a need for transportation so that people can arrive on

their workplace on time• Some take public transport, such as buses and trains• There are some buses that link residential areas to the CBD,

however, these bus services take a long time and people might prefer the faster option of taking the train

SEPARATION OF WORK AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS• Commuting can be done via• Public Transport• Private Transport•Most people would prefer to drive a private vehicle

because it is convenient and allows for flexibility• This leads to an increase in car ownership

Car ownership is a number of cars per 1 000 inhabitants; passenger cars refer to motor vehicles other than two-wheelers,

intended for the carriage of passenger and designed to seat no more than nine people (including the driver).

PRIVATE TRANSPORT VS PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Private Transport Public Transport- Fast- Convenient- Comfortable- Greater Mobility

- Greater Connectivity between train and bus services

- Generally Reliable- Allows Passengers to Rest

- Higher cost of maintenance

- High usage of private vehicles will result in traffic congestion

- Carbon emission

- Limited Mobility- Uncomfortable- Passengers would also be

affected by traffic congestion (though impact is reduced through the implementation of bus lanes)

MOVEMENT FROM ONE PART OF THE CITY TO ANOTHER TO OBTAIN OR PROVIDE GOODS AND SERVICES• People may need to move about within the city to obtain

goods and services• They may need to purchase goods from specialised

stores or attend classes in a different part of the city• People may also need to travel within the city to provide

goods and services

INADEQUATE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND POOR PROVISION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES• Inadequate transport infrastructure means that a city’s

transportation facilities are not capable of handling the amount of traffic it receives• For eg : roads with inadequate lanes, poorly connected

transport network• Buses and trains which do not arrive on time can also

cause poor provision of transport services

SINGAPORE : A CASE STUDY

HOW DOES TRAFFIC CONGESTION AFFECT PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

Impact on People•Reduced Productivity• Stress on Physical and Mental HealthImpact on the Environment• Air Pollution•Noise Pollution

WHAT? JAM AGAIN?I AM GOING TO BE LATE FOR WORK!

IMPACT ON PEOPLE : REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY

• Productivity refers to the rate at which goods or services are produced.• It is measured in output per unit of labour.• Traffic Congestion reduces productivity because people have to

spend more time commuting.• This wastes time that could be spent on productive work.

IMPACT ON PEOPLE : STRESS ON HEALTHPhysical Health• General Condition of a

person’s body

Mental Health• Psychological state of a

person

Long travelling times can lead to- Fatigue- Loss of concentration, falling asleep

for drivers- Exposure to fumes from idling

vehicles. Fumes contain particulate matter which can penetrate deep into lung tissues, causing inflammation.

- Long term exposure to fumes has been linked to several health problems, including asthma and lung diseases.

Traffic Congestion can have negative impacts on people’s mental healthDue to spending more time on the road, people may become prone to- Stress- Frustration- This increases their chances of being

involved in accidents and fights with others

IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAir Pollution Noise Pollution• Traffic Congestion increases the

pollution level of a city• In USA, more than half of the air

pollution is primarily caused by cars• Car emit greenhouse gases such as

CO2 • These gases cause the Earth’s

temperature to rise because they trap heat

• When vehicles remain stationary in traffic congestion, or brake and accelerate in stop-start traffic, wasted fuel will increase air pollution

• Cars also produce other harmful air pollutants which contribute to poor air quality such as smog

• The biggest cause of noise pollution in UK is road traffic

• In a traffic congestion, drivers are more prone to honking due to frustration

• However, each honk is usually more than 65 decibels

• This is higher than the lawful limit of 55 decibels

• Excessive noise could harm health and interferes with people’s daily activities

• It can disturb sleep, causes cardio and psycho effects, reduce performance and provoke annoyance responses and changes in social behaviour

MEASURES TAKEN TO MANAGE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

• Since we know the causes, origins and impacts of traffic congestion, we should move on to finding solutions and measures that could be taken to reduce traffic congestion (or at least its impacts)

MEASURES

• Making Public Transport a Choice Mode- Integrated Public Transport System- Bus Lane Schemes- Expansion of Rail Networks- Increased Capacity and Frequency of buses and rail• Managing Road Usage- Road Pricing (better known as ERP)- Increased Parking Fees- Enhanced Traffic Monitoring• Other Measures- Telecommuting- Cycling

A SMALL JOKE…

MAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORT A CHOICE

• One way to manage traffic congestion is to improve the public transport system by making it more convenient and accessible• People might then be encouraged to make public transport a

choice mode• Buses and trains can carry more passengers than cars, so

taking public transport can help manage traffic congestion

ACTIVITY 2

• Students, who rely on public transport to commute TO AND FRO school, should put up their hands• Teacher would ask these students to describe their

experiences when taking public transport• Make sure that there is a share of both positive and negative

answers!

KNOWING OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM• Singapore’s Public Transport System is made up of :• MRT – operated by SMRT and SBS Transit• Buses – operated by SMRT Buses and SBS Transit• Taxis – operated by SMRT and other taxi companies

• Do you know that the ez-link card you are holding is part of a scheme to make public transport a choice mode?

INTEGRATED TRANSPORT SYSTEM

• Trains, buses and taxis should be well-linked – Integrated• For example, Clementi MRT and Bus Interchange could be said as an

Integrated Transport System• The MRT Station is connected to the Bus Interchange via a shopping mall• Another example is the Boon Lay MRT and Bus Interchange• Boon Lay is a major residential area in Singapore and its Bus Interchange

is the largest in Singapore and boosts of 31 bus services• The MRT station and Bus Interchange are connected by Jurong Point

Shopping Centre

INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

• Trains and Buses are connected• Fares are consistent and fare cards can be used for both

trains and buses• Consistent Frequencies of trains and buses (no delay)• Boosts accessibility

IN SINGAPORE…

• Buses and Trains are Connected by Retail Activities• This, as a whole, is called a• Transport Hub • Ez-Link card – a contactless smartcard

that boosts of the same ticketing system between buses and trains

QUOTED FROM LTA WEBSITE

INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Advantages• An integrated public transport system is

more convenient, accessible and efficient. People can make use of different modes of transportation to get to a place quickly

Disadvantages

• An integrated public transport system requires extensive planning and costs. Therefore, it may not be feasible in all countries

BUS LANE SCHEMES

• Bus Lanes are lanes that are specially set aside for private and public buses on specific days and times• With bus lanes, buses are able to enter and exit bus stops

smoothly and quickly• Thus, this provides faster and uninterrupted journeys for

commuters, while improving bus speeds and reliability

BUS LANES Normal Bus Lanes Full-Day Bus Lanes• Driving within normal bus lanes is not

allowed for private cars, taxis and motorcycles during

• Weekday Peak Hours

• Driving within full-day bus lanes is not allowed for private cars, taxis and motorcycles from

• 7.30am to 8pm, Mondays to Saturdays

BUS LANE SCHEMES

Advantages• Bus Lanes allow buses to move quickly so buses would not be

held up during traffic congestion• Buses will arrive on schedule more often even during peak

hours. This will make travelling by bus more appealing

Disadvantages• The success of bus lane schemes depends on the compliance of drivers• Allocating a lane for buses takes away precious road capacity for other

drivers. As such, designated bus lanes may lead to traffic congestion for private car users

EXPANSION OF RAIL NETWORK

• Increasing the number of locations that trains can reach• 1. More tracks can be laid out to ensure that the rail

network covers a large area• 2. More stations can be built so that more locations

have access to trains

IN SINGAPORE… • Land Transport Master Plan 2013- Build more MRT Lines• Cross Island Line• Jurong Region Line- Build more MRT Stations• Extensions to Circle Line, Downtown Line and North East Line

By 2030, Rail Network will span about 360 lm8 in 10 homes will be located within a 10 minute walk from a train station

EXPANSION OF RAIL NETWORK

Advantages• Trains have high capacities and can transport more people each

time• People can travel to more destinations via train, some of which

were previously accessible only by car or bus

Disadvantages

• Building rail networks is expensive• Proposed rail lines may cut through housing estates and buildings.

Affected residents and businesses may have to bear the construction noise or give up their property to make way for new lines. This causes inconvenience for residents and businesses in that area

ACTIVITY 3

•Can you identify the mode of transport and its company?•Hint : SBS Transit and SMRT are the 2 major operators of public transport in Singapore

SBS TransitVolvo B9L Wright (double decker)

SMRT BusesAlexander Dennis (double

decker)

SMRTKawasaki C651

SBS TRANSIT (TRAIN)

• How much do you know about our Public Transport System?• Singapore’s Public Transport System has been hailed as one

of the best in the world• However, there has been some negative feedback about our

system, such as• Long Waiting Time

INCREASED CAPACITY AND FREQUENCY OF BUSES AND RAIL

• To help relieve traffic congestion, bus and rail systems can be upgraded to carry more people and arrive more frequently• Transport operators can also put systems in place so

that buses and trains arrive at scheduled times

IN SINGAPORE…

• The Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP) has been launched by the government and bus operators• The programme is expected to reduce waiting times

for buses throughout the island

MORE ABOUT … BSEP

IN SINGAPORE…

• Trains have also been added to existing lines• According to LT Master Plan 2013, more trains will be

added to these lines starting from 2014• The train signalling system would also be upgraded• This would allow trains to arrive safely every 100 seconds

and carry 20% more passengers

INCREASED CAPACITY AND FREQUENCY OF BUSES AND RAIL

Advantage • More people can be transported to places and within a short time

Disadvantage • Increasing the frequency and capacity of buses and trains may be costly

MANAGING ROAD USAGE

• A strategy to mange traffic congestion is to manage road usage, which helps to reduce the number of cars on the road• Some ways to manage road usage include • Implementing road pricing• Increasing parking fees• Enhancing traffic monitoring

ROAD PRICING

• Road pricing refers to a traffic management measure that charges drivers when they use certain roads• Commonly, drivers are required to pay more during peak

periods in order to discourage the use of certain roads• In Singapore, the ERP is implemented• 72 ERP gantries have been set up across Singapore as of

2012

ROAD PRICING

Advantage• The higher costs discourage driving during peak hours. Drivers

may then use alternative modes of transport such as public buses and trains

Disadvantage • Traffic is diverted to other roads because of drivers avoiding the ERP. This may lead to congestion elsewhere

INCREASED PARKING FEES

• Parking fees can be increased to manage road usage• This would increase the cost of driving, especially

within CBD• It would also encourage people to take public

transport instead

INCREASED PARKING FEES

Advantages • High parking fees add to the cost of owning and using a car, hence discouraging private car ownership

Disadvantages• Drivers may resort to illegal parking to avoid paying high fees.

The illegally parked car may block traffic or even pose a danger to drivers

ENHANCED TRAFFIC MONITORING

• Cities can make use of technology to monitor traffic• Traffic monitoring can alert drivers of traffic congestion and

they can avoid travelling on that road• Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) ensures

that information will be made available to drivers on the roads about the current road situation• They may choose to take an alternative road

IN SINGAPORE…

• Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System - EMAS• Green Link Determining - GLIDE System• Computerised traffic light signalling system which detects

vehicles, pedestrians and major road junctions, then adjusts the green time according to traffic conditions• Drivers are also able to drive from one junction to another

without stopping

ENHANCED TRAFFIC MONITORING

Advantage • Drivers can avoid places with traffic congestion

Disadvantage • Traffic Monitoring only encourages drivers to drive elsewhere and does not reduce the number of vehicles on the road

OTHER MEASURES

• Traffic congestion can also be managed by changing work arrangements, and encouraging alternative modes of transport• Telecommuting• Encourage Cycling

TELECOMMUTING• Telecommuting refers to a work arrangement where employees work from

home or at a location near their home and thus do not have to travel to the office• Telecommuting is made possible by technology such as Internet

connections, computers and telephone lines• People are then able to stay in contact with their colleagues even though

they are not physically in the office• This eliminates the need for people to commute to and from their

workplaces, thus reducing the number of vehicles on the road and traffic congestion

LINK!!!

• Home-Based Learning, or e-Learning• Prescribed by teachers during emergency when school is

closed (in the event of haze etc)• Can you think of advantages and disadvantages of HBL?

• They would be rather similar to that of telecommuting

TELECOMMUTING

Advantage• People do not need to travel out of their residential

areas to go to work. This reduces the number of drivers and public transport passengers during peak hours

Disadvantage • -

ENCOURAGE CYCLING

•Bicycles are environmentally friendly and a convenient mode of transport because of mobility and flexibility

IN SINGAPORE…

• Singapore encourages people to cycle to MRT Stations- Added bicycle racks at MRT Stations- Allowed foldable bikes on buses and trains (off-peak

hours)- Cycling Paths

ENCOURAGE CYCLING

Advantage• Cycling is a mode of transport that provided flexibility and

mobility• Cycling is environmentally friendly and sustainable

Disadvantage• It may be dangerous for cyclists because cycling lanes are very

near to motor vehicles on the road• Some cities are not suited to cycling because of the layout,

traffic conditions and topography

• Traffic congestion is an issue in many cities• Poor management of the traffic situation will lead to congestion• People, the economy and environment will then be negatively impacted• Different cities have tried to address this issue by making public transport a choice

mode and managing road usage• With public transport, more people can be transported to places within a short time• To manage road usage, cities may make use of technology to monitor traffic and

implement road pricing• Cities can also explore other measures such as cycling• Each of these measures has its benefits and challenges• To mange traffic, cities should consider its situation and adopt a combination of

measures• Cities should also continually review the measures in order to adapt to the changing

environment and challenges