Impacts
– Resident Impact:
Too many cars, hours of traffic, congested roads, frustration and road rage, no parking, increase cost of living (deliveries, cost of gasoline, no shopping around)
– Business Impact:
Increase cost of doing business (deliveries, cost of gasoline, gofers for picking and dropping off checks, etc.), loss of business and customers (e.g. taxi driver)
– Visitor Impact:
Image as congested island, not “relaxing”, limits time to experience the island and all it has to offer
Proposed Solutions
Alternatives
1. A ferry service
A ferry service is a possible transportation alternative that would assist in alleviating the traffic especially in peak hours. However, consideration is needed for either sufficient parking or suitable public transportation will be needed to reach the ferry stations.
2. Public Transportation
A better functioning public transportation system is needed with established routes and reliable schedules to offer a suitable alternative to taking the car.
3. Scooters
Scooters, motorcycles and bicycles offer a suitable and reliable alternative, however, with current crime rates and lack of adherence to traffic laws, scooters are considered dangerous, are easily stolen and difficult to insure. Without proper enforcement and reduction in crime, this will not be a favorable alternative.
Remove Blocks
1. Improving Roads
Proper maintenance of the roads will lead to fewer potholes resulting in less traffic jams for cars avoiding them. This will also reduce the cost for vehicle owners from damage to tires and
vehicles from larger potholes.
2. Better & More Parking
The number of parking spaces needs to be increased in the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay areas as well as the way the parking areas are planned to limit obstruction of traffic for cars trying to find a spot, reversing in or out, or turning around while parking.
3. Stricter Inspections
Stricter inspections of motor vehicles, car condition and brakes are needed to ensure that the vehicles on the road are operating properly to avoid break-downs and accidents. This will limit the number of obstructions on the road that can back up traffic for hours.
Maximization
1. Maximizing Links
Maximizing the road links will go a long way in alleviating traffic. These are expensive solutions that will not be achieved in the short term. Further, even with the maximum links, other measures are needed to maintain any reduction in congestion.
2. Changing our Ways
Changing the way we travel around the island will help reducing the traffic and congestion on our infrastructure. Examples are car pooling, evening deliveries, internet banking instead of delivering checks, (e-)mailing instead of dropping off.
3. Managing Growth
Eventually there will need to be a limit placed on the number of cars on the island. With finite land, there is simply no room for continued growth. However, unless realistic alternatives are in place, limiting the number of cars on the island is not feasible.
