Intelligent transportation system as tool in solving Cairo’s transportation problems [ READ ]
Ahmed Hosney Radwan
Traffic congestion in Cairo has many causes: fuel subsidies result in cheap petrol and diesel, which in turn result in more private cars on the streets, meanwhile the lack of parking areas results in cars having to turn back or park incorrectly on the streets prompting further traffic jams. Although the number of metro commuters is high, the metro only reaches a limited number of places in the city. Also, public transport buses are few in number and outdated, thus prompting people to use other buses and taxis to get by. However the latter generally need to be cleaner, safer and be able to better load and unload passengers. There are also few areas for pedestrians to cross the streets and street peddlers often occupy these areas and the sidewalks, making things worse. Moreover, there are many problems related to the construction of roads where there are few street lights, stop signs and crossroads; people also find awful corners and U-turns that are either very sharp turns or are very narrow thus not allowing drivers to make smooth U-turns. Drivers also behave badly and irresponsibly added to the poor implementation of traffic laws, which causes the public to undermine traffic regulations. In this paper we will discuss intelligent transportation systems (ITS) which is a nontraditional tool for solving traffic problems in Cairo and holds great promise for public works professionals seeking to optimize those public investment strategies that deal with traffic congestion and other growth pressures. Advanced traffic and fleet management systems as well as traveler information and vehicle-based systems can take advantage of information technology advances and private market products to substantially improve the productivity, connectivity, and safety of transportation, and its application in Cairo to improve traffic.
Ahmed Hosney Radwan
Traffic congestion in Cairo has many causes: fuel subsidies result in cheap petrol and diesel, which in turn result in more private cars on the streets, meanwhile the lack of parking areas results in cars having to turn back or park incorrectly on the streets prompting further traffic jams. Although the number of metro commuters is high, the metro only reaches a limited number of places in the city. Also, public transport buses are few in number and outdated, thus prompting people to use other buses and taxis to get by. However the latter generally need to be cleaner, safer and be able to better load and unload passengers. There are also few areas for pedestrians to cross the streets and street peddlers often occupy these areas and the sidewalks, making things worse. Moreover, there are many problems related to the construction of roads where there are few street lights, stop signs and crossroads; people also find awful corners and U-turns that are either very sharp turns or are very narrow thus not allowing drivers to make smooth U-turns. Drivers also behave badly and irresponsibly added to the poor implementation of traffic laws, which causes the public to undermine traffic regulations. In this paper we will discuss intelligent transportation systems (ITS) which is a nontraditional tool for solving traffic problems in Cairo and holds great promise for public works professionals seeking to optimize those public investment strategies that deal with traffic congestion and other growth pressures. Advanced traffic and fleet management systems as well as traveler information and vehicle-based systems can take advantage of information technology advances and private market products to substantially improve the productivity, connectivity, and safety of transportation, and its application in Cairo to improve traffic.
