Congestion is the dominant challenge in cities and infrastructure networks. |
Demand on many key urban road and rail corridors is projected to significantly exceed current capacity by 2031. The importance of managing urban transport is underlined by the fact that in 2011, the cost of delays on roads in the six largest capital cities was $13.7 billion. This figure is projected to grow by around 290% to $53.3 billion in 2031, in the absence of appropriate strategies including integrating land use and transport planning, new road construction, additional public transport investment and the introduction of demand management measures.
We need to consider demand management measures to make the best use of our roads. These include increased use of lanes for 'High Occupancy Vehicles', buses and other 'high value' vehicles such as trucks and delivery vans. It also requires investment in smart road technology that maximises the use and productivity of the systems we already have.