Transport: Problems and Solutions English-1 Unit-2

What are the various problems associated with transport ? Find possible
solutions to them.
Transport makes human life comfortable and easy. It saves a lot of time and
energy and ensures happy living. But transport also involves problems. Increase
in number of vehicles on road causes public inconvenience. We could minimise
these inconveniences and problems by finding possible solutions. For this, we
should first trace out the problems.
Problems associated with transport
1. Peak hour traffic
2. Traffic jam
3. Slow moving of traffic
4. Air and sound pollution
5. Violation of traffic rules (rash driving, drunken drive, overtaking, over
speeding, over loading)
6. Crammed roads
7. Improper conditions of road
8. Stray cattle and dogs
9. Pedestrians and cyclists
Probable Solutions
1. Due to more and more vehicles, traffic moves slowly on main roads,
especially during peak hours. Registration of vehicles needs to be tightened.
If a person owns more than one vehicle, he should pay double registration
fee likewise.
2. Number of vehicles on roads can also be reduced by using public transport
system and by using the car pool method. Employees going to same office
can use one car for 5 members taking turns instead of using 5 cars
individually. This way, they can reduce traffic on a roads, pollution and fuel
which is one of the natural resources.
3. Heavy vehicles that come on streets cause traffic jams. So, they should only
be allowed to go through the bypass lanes.
4. Applying various time schedules to schools, colleges and offices would help
in balancing the peak hour traffic.
5. There is a need to spread awareness that there should be less or no honking
to reduce sound pollution. This should be specifically applied near schools,
hospitals and major junctions.
6. Vehicles should be maintained in perfect condition and there should be
timely checkup on this. This helps in keeping check to air pollution.
7. Violation of traffic rules is the major problem of all. There would be fewer
accidents if traffic rules are strictly observed by all. It should be seen that
there shall be no over speeding, over loading, overtaking, rash driving,
drunken drive etc. A lot of awareness to public is needed. Penalty system
would also work well.
8. Separate lanes for various speed limits would also serve the purpose. That
way, everyone follows the same speed in that particular lane and hence there
would be no overtaking, honking and rash driving. A separate lane for
cyclists and bikers will also be helpful.
9. Installing speed control technology to all motor vehicles would control
accidents.
10. Following road safety measures like wearing a helmet, fastening seat belt
would help in minimizing the damage and would also save lives.
11. If hawkers and small vendors are allotted a separate area, they will have their
earnings without cramming the roads.
12. Road conditions are to be improvised like making patch work whenever
needed, solving the drainage problem and proper diversion of rain water that
is logged on roads.
13. It should be seen that improper parking would be penalized.
14. Including pedestrian sign to traffic signal lights in small towns just as in
cities would enable the pedestrians their time and wouldn't make them a
hurdle to traffic.
15. Stray cattle and dogs on roads is a major problem which needs immediate
attention. They would better be sent to animal shelters without leaving them
unattended.
16. Enforcing strict rules with immediate action along with awareness camps
would bring some positive change in the mindset of the people.
General Problems in Transportation System of India and Its Solutions

1. Problems of Road Transportation in India

According to a report, roads account for 60% of all transportation. In India,
road transit is the most common means of transport. Despite this, problems of
road transport in India is increasing drastically day by day which is faced by
transportation firms due to our inadequate road infrastructure, multiple
checkpoints, and congestion. Whether transporting big cargo or fragile items, a
well-maintained road infrastructure is essential to ensure that commodities
arrive safely at their final destination.

Solution:
During the rainy season, most roads are unsafe to travel on. According to the
survey, transportation businesses spend roughly 200 crores per year on vehicle
wear and tear. The cause for this could be due to poor road conditions.
Maintaining strong road infrastructure could be the best solution to the
problems of road transport in India. And, in order to build long-lasting roads,
long-lasting materials should be used.

2. Bad Traffic Management

According to traffic reports generated by the world’s top countries, India is the
most populated country and has plethora of traffic problems and solutions. Due
to the growing population of cities, freight vehicles and travellers alike must
spend a significant amount of time stuck in traffic.

One of the major problems in transportation system of India, however, has no

exact answer. Engineers, designers, planners, constructors, and road
transportation professionals all offer effective solutions to these traffic
problems.

Solutions:
One of the most widely recognized technique to determine vehicular traffic in
little and medium towns and locale is the development of new streets and
sidesteps to redirect the traffic.

Street traffic can be brief or to some degree diminished by rearranging the

traffic in the executives’ framework. Presenting new traffic streams and
bearings without making any major primary change to the current streets might
give transitory help. Reaching out of the single direction frameworks, shifting
the term of traffic signals and limitations of the vehicle leaving on principal
streets are the most generally utilized procedures by the government to
overcome the problems in transportation system of India.

3. Parking Problem
Parking is one of the major problems in transportation system of India. As we
have seen, there is not enough space in the centre regions of large cities to
accommodate everyone who wants to drive and park. As a result, parking must
be controlled, which is commonly done by prohibiting commuters from parking
all day or making it prohibitively expensive. However, the fines in certain towns
are so minimal that getting caught two or three times is less expensive than
paying parking fees.

Solutions:
Separate parking arrangements for short-term tourists and local residents should
be developed by constructing restricted parking spots to overcome these
problems of transportation. Overall, parking management is straightforward to
implement, versatile to use, and simple for passengers to comprehend.

4. An Increase in Fuel Prices

One of the highly faced problems in transportation in India. In the last six
months, crude oil prices have increased by 23.06 percent. In India, petrol prices
have increased by about 50% since January 2010, prompting automakers to
invest in more fuel-efficient vehicles and expand diesel engine capacity, even as
oil marketing corporations hint at further increases.

With rising oil costs and Indian oil marketing corporations intending to raise
fuel prices, car owners may be forced to make some difficult financial
decisions.

Solutions:

Electric vehicles.
These Electric automobiles (or bicycles) do not require fuel and are recharged
on a regular basis at various electrical stations or outlets. There will be no more
costly journeys to the petrol station; but, these cars are an expensive purchase.

Make more use of public transportation.

Local trains, metros, and buses are excellent ways to avoid fuel price increases
while also helping to decongest highways and reduce pollution levels.
Furthermore, local governments in a number of cities are progressively
favouring CNG vehicles over diesel or petrol vehicles, not just for public
transportation but also for cabs and auto-rickshaws. CNG is less polluting than
carbon-based fuels like gasoline or diesel, and it helps to maintain good air
quality.

Cycling or walking.
A photo circulating on social media compares a car and a bicycle, claiming that
one consumes gasoline while adding calories, while the other consumes calories
while conserving fuel. The most energy efficient modes of transportation are
cycling and walking.

Walking or cycling is one of the easiest methods to get around the astronomical
increase in gasoline prices. At every corner in most modern countries, there are
separate bicycle lanes with specific instructions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Unfortunately, India still has a long way to go.