When we speak of transportation infrastructures we
think of the framework of our transport systems. We then take into
consideration how roads are structured for multiple purposes. Since cities are
known to have such an important role in several countries including ours as
they are the location of jobs factories and businesses , due to this transport
infrastructure contributes to the overall functioning of the city. The best
cities are known to have the best transport infrastructures which support their
cities. But, what is transport infrastructure and why is it necessary.
According to European Commission, transport infrastructure means all the routed
and fixed installations of the 3 modes of transport. In each country,
transportation infrastructure differs greatly from one another. Given this,
todays following blog will be mainly focused on road transportation
infrastructure in Trinidad.
By now we
should understand that have a large population growth, along with this, public
transport systems are ageing and becoming inefficient and unable to provide the
transport needs of the people and their daily rapid mobility. Transport plays a
key role in increasing economic activities especially in cities thereby increasing
and improving their productivity and connectivity also by extension, reducing
travelling time. Major urban areas such as Port of Spain, San Fernando and
Chaguanas are known for their high and intensive economic activities. Therefore
proper transportation infrastructures can indeed facilitate the transportation
of goods and people. However, over recent and present times transport
infrastructures have been neglected which have led to several crisis.
But, why and what are the reasons for the occurrence
of transport crisis? Could it be that local government have been making
terrible planning decisions? If this is the case what can be some solutions?
Along with an
increase in population as mentioned in a previous blog, more roads lead to more
cars on the roads thus there will be more traffic congestion. Many have
proposed that the construction of the rapid rail will and can address the
transportation infrastructure and function issues in Trinidad. However, in a
newspaper article entitled ‘Rail won’t solve congestion’, Dr. Rae
Furlonge, a traffic and transport engineer argued that solving a traffic
problem with a transport solution is not a solution. He also argued that the
rapid rail will be unreliable considering that it consumes a lot of energy in
order to function. Now, know that Trinidad is the country of OIL and ENERGY but
what if there’s it a power outage? What will be do? Also considering that the
rapid rail will be functioning at peak hours of citizen activity throughout the
city of Port of Spain there will unproductive days of businesses, firms and
organization employees then as some would say ‘Crapo Smoke We Pipe’. So by this
we can see why there is no rapid rail presently as many would have objected to
the idea.
However, what
our transport system and infrastructure really needs is proper management. We do
not need more roads and we do not need more systems to give us the belief that
we are somewhat developing. We need to make our transport systems and infrastructures
for attractive for our citizens to use. We need to find more incentives to lure
them into utilizing the different transportation systems provided. We need to
manage and improve our roads instead of constructing more. We need to find
alternative in making the city and transportation within the city more
comfortable for our citizens.
How
do we plan and manage our transport infrastructures?
Use of GIS-
According to ESRI, ‘Being able to visualize your
assets and the surrounding environment when you build, upgrade, or repair
transportation infrastructure helps you prioritize your work and make the right
decisions.’
Now this may not be the only method by which we can
manage our transportation infrastructure but it can solve the majority of our
management issues. The extensive and proper use of GIS can facilitate the
planning process of transport infrastructure. As a result, there can be more
collection of data and information to aid in the decision making processes. This
may have addressed what Dr. Rae Furlonge claims that there is a shortage of
data collection of the mobility of people from different areas and improper
mapping systems.
Another way in which transport infrastructure can be
addressed is by critically focusing on infrastructure for public transport,
pedestrian facilities and urban systems infrastructures. Therefore there must
be timely maintenance of the division of road ways for both large and small
vehicles and there should be increased focus, management and security on
transport routes which are supposed to facilitate transportation woes. Also the
position, of road signs need to be properly managed and monitored for any form
of destruction doe to it and its positioning for drivers to easily view them. Planners
and transportation organization should therefore take into consideration the
needs and comfort of citizens in order to facilitate the functioning of the
city and by extension the entire country.
Make sure you cite and properly reference Furlonge's work so people can read more about why rail might not work in TT. No original picture. :(
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