In line with global urbanisation trends, it is estimated that 4.5 billion people globally will be living in cities by 2020, representing 60% of the world’s population. This will continue to exacerbate demand for urban transportation in these areas, which will be dependent on smart mobility networks to facilitate travel and the movement of goods and services in tomorrow’s smart cities. Experts believe that these cities, termed as megacities, will have a minimum population level of 10 million and will form as a result of the core city centres engulfing with the surrounding suburbs to form one big city. This trend will create a compelling need for the increased mobility solutions.
The concept of urban mobility means identifying clear and concrete solutions to make efficient and promote public transport in cities, but also solutions to discourage the use of individual vehicles. An increased level of urban mobility from the point of view of safety, efficiency and of the environment is an essential goal in guaranteeing that passengers choose public transport. Solving problems related to urban congestion is the task of local and regional authorities. The citizen is entitled to contribute to reducing urban congestion, but, in most cases, he will not give up the comfort of his own vehicle willingly and travel around the city by public means of transport…unless he is provided with similar conditions of comfort, safety and rapidity.
That is why the railway industry, companies such as Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens and Skoda, have developed more and more attractive products in conformity with the standards imposed for reducing urban pollution. Railway industry specialists believe that by 2015, the number of cities with a population exceeding 1 million citizens will increase from 300 to more than 550. Therefore, more than 350 million citizens will live in mega-cities with more than 10 million residents. Railway transport has been estimated at an annual growth of 3% during 2005-2015. To than end, the equipments necessary in railway transport will become a strategic factor as regards the transport of as much people as possible, but also freight and as fastest as possible, thus reducing road congestion and urban pollution.
Dynamic, affordable, liveable and attractive urban regions will never be free of congestion. Transport policies, however, should seek to manage congestion on a cost-effective basis with the aim of reducing the burden that excessive congestion imposes upon travellers and urban dwellers throughout the urban road network.
Integrated land use and transport planning and coordinated transport development involving all transport modes – including appropriate levels of public transport – are fundamentally important to the high quality access needed in large urban areas.
by Elena Ilie
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