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Essay on Traffic Problems | Traffic Problems Essay for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Traffic Problems: The development in the world has given us many gifts but not without its bane. Travelling to faraway places has become more comfortable and quicker due to the boom in the automobile industry. But it comes with the limitations of traffic jams. One of the perils of living in the cities is a traffic jam.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Short and Long Essays on Traffic Problems for Students and Children in English

Long Essay on Traffic Problems is helpful to students of classes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Short Essay on Traffic Problems is helpful to students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Very Short Essay on Traffic Problems 150 Words in English

As we see development in the automobile industry, there is a rise in traffic problems on the road. Traffic is movement as of vehicles and pedestrians through an area or along a route. The fundamental problem of traffic arises when many people commute at the same time and cause congestion on the road. There is an increase in the demand for vehicles, but the roads’ condition leads to traffic problems. To solve the pain caused due to traffic jams, people are coming up with new and more straightforward commuting solutions. The government has also started many campaigns on traffic problems to enlighten the citizens of the country. People try to use public transport or share their rides to stop traffic congestion. They avoid going out in peak traffic hours. Living with congestion is a problem everyone wants to fight and get a smoother flow on the road.

Short Essay on Traffic Problems 200 Words in English

Life in urban cities is running day and night. People have places to reach and workloads to finish. The population explosion is seen not only in the graphs but on the roads too. The primary time of a human being living in a city spent on-road commuting between the office and home. The primary cause is traffic on the road for delaying a person to reach their destination. The primary reason for traffic congestion on the street is the growth of industry and the economy. People have to go office simultaneously, so peak hours are on the road when the congestion is high.

Self-awareness is there in the citizens regarding this issue. The government is also taking many measures to eradicate the traffic problems. People prefer to take public transport during peak hours to avoid heavy traffic. Roads widened to meet the demand of the traffic on the road. Traffic police are more vigilant to avoid unnecessary blockages on the way. Sometimes the streets are blocked for V.I.P movements; it leads to traffic blocks. It will be joined the effort by citizens and government to bring changes in the traffic problems.

Long Essay on Traffic Problems 400 Words in English

Introduction to Essay on Traffic Problems: The traffic problem is one of the common problems in metropolitan cities around the world. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities in the US and Europe face traffic congestion daily.

The urban transportation system is a big challenge for the governments because it requires a state of the art Vehicles and a state of the art roads designed for public transport. There are many reasons for traffic problems, but the aftereffects of getting stuck in traffic for long are only frustration and anger.

Problems Due to Traffic 

• Being stuck in traffic for long hours results in unproductive time. The time sitting idle and getting late to your appointment causes frustration and anger in a person. Aggressive driving increases road rage.
• Increase in pollution level due to wastage of fuels. Stopping, accelerating and again stopping the car leads to an unnecessary release of carbon dioxide.
• Noise pollution increase due to extra honking and too much traffic. These long traffic congestions on the road can harm the mind.
• Emergency vehicles like the fire brigade and ambulance get stuck up in the traffic.
• People can get late for their important meetings and to cover up the time sometimes drive fast and cause accidents.
•  There is wastage of fuel when the vehicles are stuck in a traffic jam.
• People who have to commute daily like office goers and students feel completely drained out after long traffic jams.
• The chances of accidents and damages increase due to tight spacing between the vehicles.
• The value of the vehicle depreciates due to frequent acceleration and braking.

Conclusion on Traffic Problems Essay

Traffic jam is a part of our daily lives. It is one of the primary causes of air pollution and noise pollution. The government and concerned citizens are taking a lot of measures to avoid traffic problems. The use of public transport is encouraged by the government. Carpool is a powerful solution to avoid bringing a lot of cars on the road. The citizens strictly follow traffic rules; the government’s role is to check that all the traffic rules followed. The traffic control system needs t controlled, and road infrastructure needs to improve as a government’s duty. Improvement in public transport infrastructure is a must to encourage people to use it more often. It is possible to prevent traffic problems, but we need to work sincerely on it.

Very Long Essay on Traffic Problems 800 Words

Introduction to Traffic Problems Essay: The modern dilemma in general people as rightly quoted by Paul Mc Cartney” I think the idea of getting out of a traffic jam and getting out of work each week and going and doing all this stuff would be exhausting.”A significant chunk of the time of the day spent on the road due to traffic congestion. It seems like a specific condition in progressing metropolitan and urban cities. Nobody likes to get stuck up in traffic for long hours.

Traffic is a Problem

As the automobile industry is booming day by day, our roads are boom with cars daily. The primary reason for the increase in traffic is

• Growth in the economic power of people has to lead to an increase in sales of the vehicles.
• The easy availability of automobile loans has made it easier for the general public to purchase their vehicle.
• Like many family members, the same number of cars are there due to growth and boost in the industry.
• People need to move out of the house at the same time due to office hours. These hours are known as peak hours.
• The roads are not well designed for heavy traffics, and bad weather conditions.

In simple words, the transport network’s major problem is increasing vehicles and roads’ overuse. Generally, we all have got used to traffic around us but underlining the silver line in this black cloud makes people angry and frustrated. The problems which arise due to traffic are

• Spending long hours on the road increases aggressiveness amongst people eventually a rise in road rage.
• Frustration  Increases the chances of accidents on the road, as people try to Overspeed to reach on time or drive rash whenever they get the road clear to go.
• Wasted fuel increases air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions due to increased idling, acceleration and braking.
• Wear and tear of vehicles due to idling in traffic and frequent acceleration and braking.
• Unproductive time is a significant disadvantage.
• Emergency vehicles like the fire brigade and ambulance get stuck up in traffic congestions.
• Some business gets effected by not delivering goods on time as they work by the principle of delivery on time or free.

Remedies to Eradicate Traffic Problems

A big issue can be seen by the general people of the country and the government too. The solution is to work together. Some of the measures which followed are

• Awareness in the general public, for the advantages of using public transport.
• The government should improve facilities for public transport. As the day
• Carpool as a principle should be followed and promoted by the organisations in their employees. It helps to decrease the number of vehicles on the road.
• Road repair work must be regular to decrease traffic jams.
• People must be aware of traffic rules and also be motivated to follow them strictly.
• Government time to time to create awareness among the citizens, and implements new policies like Odd and Even was a success in Delhi.

How Can We Avoid Traffic?

• Optimise light traffic management by the Traffic police officers.
• Use CCTV to monitor road conditions will help a lot to avoid unnecessary roadblocks.
• Enforce existing road traffic laws, which is very important to stop accidents from occurring.
• Improve perceptions of buses, will encourage the general public to make more usage of it.
• Extend resident’s parking zones, will prevent people from double parking and taking extra space for driving.
• Charge for workplace parking; this will discourage people from bringing their cars to work.
• Improve cycling infrastructure; it will encourage people to avoid vehicles and cycle at least for shorter distances.
• Improve bus services, is vital to encourage people to travel on public transport.

Traffic congestion has become a global problem because sitting idle and unproductive for long hours in the car is a significant problem for most countries. Studies show that on average due to congestion Boston loses 164 productive hours, New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle all lose almost 100 productive hours.

Pondering at the Red Light

In the end, red light is where waiting for minutes sometimes hours a lot of thoughts come into our mind. Our choice of how we spend that time, generally getting tired and frustrated is the answer. By J.G.Ballard,” People nowadays like to be together not in the old-fashioned way of, say, mingling on the piazza of an Italian Renaissance city, but, instead huddled together in traffic jams, bus queues, on escalators and so on. It’s a new kind of totally alien, but it’s the togetherness of modern technology.”  Even if traffic is a problem in our lives, but with continuous efforts, we can indeed find a way to solve it. Living with congestion is not a solution to our problem but at present an unavoidable circumstance.

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• Traffic Problems Essay

IELTS Traffic Problems Essay

This is a traffic problems essay and the specific topic is the taxing of car drivers in order to reduce these problems.

You are asked to discuss the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of introducing such a policy to tackle the issue.

This question is very clear, and it does not specifically ask you for an opinion. You just need to look at both sides of the issue.

The logical way to answer it would be to discuss each side in a different paragraph.

Sample IELTS Writing

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use the money to improve public transportation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Traffic Problems Essay - Model Answer

Traffic congestion in many cities around the world is severe. One possible solution to this problem is to impose heavy taxes on car drivers and use this money to make public transport better. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of such a measure.

One of the first benefits of such a measure is that the heavy taxes would discourage car owners from using their cars because it would become very expensive to drive. This would mean that they would begin to make use of public transport instead, thus reducing traffic problems and pollution as well. Another benefit would be that much more use would be made of public transport if it was improved. It is often the case that public transport in cities is very poor. For example, we often see old buses and trains that people would rather not use. High taxes would generate enough money to make the necessary changes.

Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to such a solution. First and foremost, this would be a heavy burden on the car drivers. At present, taxes are already high for a lot of people, and so further taxes would only mean less money at the end of the month for most people who may have no choice but to drive every day. In addition, this type of tax would likely be set at a fixed amount. This would mean that it would hit those with less money harder, whilst the rich could likely afford it. It is therefore not a fair tax.

To conclude, this solution is worth considering to improve the current situation, but there are advantages and disadvantages of introducing such a policy.

(277 words)

The topic is clearly stated in the general statement of the introduction, and the thesis tells the reader that advantages and disadvantages will be discussed.

The traffic problems essay is organised well, with the advantages of such a solution in the first body paragraph and the disadvantages in the next.

Each paragraph has two ideas and they are well signaled and supported.

There are some good uses of tenses to show the writer is discussing the unreal future i.e. something that has not happened ( would discourage car owners..., would be a heavy burden..., ).

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Essay Curve

Essay on Traffic Problems And Solutions

Essay on Traffic Problems And Solutions: Traffic congestion is a major issue in cities around the world, causing frustration and delays for commuters and impacting the environment with increased emissions. In this essay, we will explore the various traffic problems faced by urban areas and discuss potential solutions to alleviate the gridlock. From improving public transportation systems to implementing congestion pricing, there are a variety of strategies that can help reduce traffic congestion and create a more efficient and sustainable transportation network.

Table of Contents

Traffic Problems And Solutions Essay Writing Tips

1. Introduction: Start your essay by introducing the topic of traffic problems and solutions. Briefly explain why traffic congestion is a major issue in urban areas and why it is important to address this issue.

2. Traffic Problems: In this section, discuss the various traffic problems that are commonly seen in cities. This may include congestion, accidents, pollution, and lack of infrastructure. Provide statistics or examples to support your points.

3. Causes of Traffic Problems: Explore the root causes of traffic congestion, such as rapid urbanization, population growth, poor urban planning, and inadequate public transportation systems. Discuss how these factors contribute to the problem.

4. Solutions to Traffic Problems: Offer potential solutions to address traffic congestion. This may include improving public transportation, implementing congestion pricing, promoting carpooling and ridesharing, building more bike lanes, and investing in smart traffic management systems.

5. Benefits of Implementing Solutions: Explain the benefits of implementing these solutions. This may include reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, promoting sustainable transportation options, and enhancing overall quality of life in cities.

6. Challenges and Obstacles: Acknowledge the challenges and obstacles that may arise when trying to implement these solutions. This may include resistance from stakeholders, lack of funding, and political barriers. Discuss how these challenges can be overcome.

7. Case Studies: Provide examples of cities or countries that have successfully implemented solutions to address traffic problems. Analyze the impact of these initiatives and draw lessons that can be applied to other urban areas.

8. Conclusion: Summarize the key points discussed in the essay and reiterate the importance of addressing traffic problems in urban areas. Emphasize the need for collaborative efforts from policymakers, urban planners, and the public to create sustainable solutions for a better future.

9. References: Include a list of references or sources that you used to support your arguments and provide credibility to your essay.

By following these writing tips and organizing your essay in a clear and structured manner, you can effectively communicate your ideas on traffic problems and solutions in a concise and informative way.

Essay on Traffic Problems And Solutions in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Traffic congestion is a major problem in many cities around the world. 2. It leads to increased travel times, wasted fuel, and air pollution. 3. One solution is to invest in public transportation systems to reduce the number of cars on the road. 4. Another solution is to implement congestion pricing to discourage driving during peak hours. 5. Carpooling and ridesharing are also effective ways to reduce traffic congestion. 6. Improving infrastructure, such as adding more lanes or building new roads, can help alleviate traffic problems. 7. Encouraging cycling and walking can also reduce the number of cars on the road. 8. Implementing smart traffic management systems can help optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. 9. Educating the public about the benefits of using alternative modes of transportation can help change behavior. 10. It is important for governments and city planners to work together to find sustainable solutions to traffic problems.

Sample Essay on Traffic Problems And Solutions in 100-180 Words

Traffic congestion is a major issue in many cities around the world. The increasing number of vehicles on the roads has led to longer commute times, air pollution, and frustration among drivers. To address this problem, several solutions can be implemented.

One solution is to improve public transportation systems. By investing in better infrastructure and increasing the frequency of buses and trains, more people may be encouraged to use public transportation instead of driving their cars. This can help reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and alleviate traffic congestion.

Another solution is to promote carpooling and ridesharing. By sharing rides with others, fewer cars will be on the road, leading to less traffic congestion and reduced emissions. Additionally, carpooling can help save money on gas and parking fees.

Furthermore, implementing strict traffic laws and regulations can help manage traffic flow more effectively. This includes enforcing speed limits, cracking down on illegal parking, and improving traffic signal coordination.

In conclusion, traffic problems can be addressed through a combination of improved public transportation, carpooling, and strict traffic regulations. By implementing these solutions, cities can create a more efficient and sustainable transportation system.

Short Essay on Traffic Problems And Solutions in 200-500 Words

Traffic congestion is a major issue in many cities around the world, causing frustration and delays for commuters and leading to increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. There are several factors that contribute to traffic problems, including population growth, urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and a reliance on private vehicles. However, there are also a number of solutions that can help alleviate traffic congestion and improve the overall transportation system.

One of the main causes of traffic congestion is the increasing number of vehicles on the road. As populations grow and urban areas expand, more people are driving cars, leading to overcrowded roads and highways. In addition, many cities lack adequate public transportation options, forcing people to rely on their own vehicles to get around. This reliance on private vehicles not only contributes to traffic congestion but also exacerbates air pollution and carbon emissions.

To address these issues, cities can invest in public transportation infrastructure, such as buses, trains, and subways, to provide people with viable alternatives to driving. By improving and expanding public transportation systems, cities can encourage more people to leave their cars at home and take advantage of more sustainable modes of transportation. Additionally, cities can implement policies to promote walking and cycling, such as building bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, to reduce the number of cars on the road and improve overall traffic flow.

Another factor that contributes to traffic congestion is inadequate road infrastructure. Many cities were not designed to accommodate the volume of traffic they experience today, leading to bottlenecks and gridlock on major roadways. To address this issue, cities can invest in road expansion and improvement projects to increase capacity and reduce congestion. By widening roads, adding lanes, and improving intersections, cities can improve traffic flow and reduce delays for commuters.

In addition to investing in public transportation and road infrastructure, cities can also implement policies to reduce the number of cars on the road. For example, cities can introduce congestion pricing schemes, where drivers are charged a fee to enter certain areas during peak hours, to discourage unnecessary driving and reduce traffic congestion. Cities can also promote carpooling and ridesharing programs to encourage people to share rides and reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Overall, traffic congestion is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. By investing in public transportation infrastructure, improving road infrastructure, and implementing policies to reduce the number of cars on the road, cities can alleviate traffic congestion and create a more sustainable transportation system. By working together to implement these solutions, we can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create more livable cities for everyone.

Essay on Traffic Problems And Solutions in 1000-1500 Words

Traffic congestion is a major problem in many cities around the world. It not only causes inconvenience for commuters but also has a negative impact on the environment and the economy. In this essay, we will discuss the various traffic problems that cities face and explore some potential solutions to alleviate these issues.

One of the main traffic problems that cities face is congestion. As populations grow and urban areas become more densely populated, the number of vehicles on the road also increases. This leads to traffic jams, long commute times, and frustration for drivers. Congestion not only wastes time and fuel but also contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Another traffic problem that cities face is inadequate infrastructure. Many cities were not designed to accommodate the volume of traffic that they currently experience. Roads are often narrow and poorly maintained, leading to bottlenecks and delays. In addition, public transportation systems may be outdated or insufficient to meet the needs of the growing population.

Furthermore, the lack of proper traffic management and enforcement exacerbates the problem. Many drivers ignore traffic laws and regulations, leading to reckless driving, accidents, and further congestion. In some cases, traffic signals may not be properly synchronized, causing unnecessary delays at intersections.

To address these traffic problems, cities must implement a combination of short-term and long-term solutions. One short-term solution is to improve traffic flow through better traffic management. This can be achieved by synchronizing traffic signals, implementing variable speed limits, and using intelligent transportation systems to monitor and control traffic flow. By optimizing the use of existing infrastructure, cities can reduce congestion and improve the overall efficiency of the transportation network.

Another short-term solution is to promote alternative modes of transportation. Encouraging people to use public transportation, carpooling, cycling, or walking can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and alleviate congestion. Cities can also implement policies such as congestion pricing or carpool lanes to incentivize people to choose more sustainable modes of transportation.

In the long term, cities must invest in improving their transportation infrastructure. This includes expanding and upgrading roads, bridges, and public transportation systems to accommodate the growing population and reduce congestion. Investing in new technologies, such as autonomous vehicles and electric cars, can also help reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

Furthermore, cities must prioritize sustainable urban planning and development. By creating mixed-use neighborhoods, promoting walkability, and investing in green spaces, cities can reduce the need for long commutes and encourage people to use alternative modes of transportation. Sustainable urban planning can also help reduce the overall impact of traffic on the environment and public health.

In conclusion, traffic congestion is a major problem that cities around the world face. It not only causes inconvenience for commuters but also has a negative impact on the environment and the economy. By implementing a combination of short-term and long-term solutions, cities can alleviate traffic problems and create a more sustainable and efficient transportation network. It is essential for cities to prioritize investments in transportation infrastructure, promote alternative modes of transportation, and adopt sustainable urban planning practices to address the challenges of traffic congestion.

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Essay on Problem Of Traffic

Students are often asked to write an essay on Problem Of Traffic in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Problem Of Traffic

What is traffic.

Traffic means the cars, trucks, and buses that fill our roads every day. It becomes a big problem when there are too many vehicles in one place. This can make it hard for people to get where they need to go on time.

Causes of Traffic

Effects of traffic.

Traffic can make us late, waste our time, and it’s bad for the air we breathe. It can also make us feel stressed and angry if we’re stuck for too long.

Solving Traffic Problems

To fix traffic issues, we can use public transport like buses and trains more often. Cities can also make new roads and improve old ones to handle more cars. Sharing rides with friends or family helps too.

250 Words Essay on Problem Of Traffic

Traffic problems: a growing concern, causes of traffic problems.

One of the main causes of traffic problems is the growing number of vehicles on the road. In many areas, the number of cars has increased at a rate that far exceeds the capacity of the road system.

Impact of Traffic Problems

Traffic congestion has several negative consequences, such as delays and increased travel times. This can lead to frustration and stress for drivers and passengers. Extended gridlock can also result in air pollution from idling vehicles, leading to respiratory issues.

Solutions to Traffic Problems

Numerous solutions can be implemented to address traffic problems. One common strategy is to expand road capacity by building new roads or widening existing ones. However, this approach often has limited success, as more roads can attract more vehicles, leading to the same level of congestion.

Another approach is to improve traffic management by using technology to optimize traffic flow. This can involve implementing intelligent traffic signals, using traffic sensors to gather data, and deploying video surveillance to monitor traffic conditions.

Encouraging the use of alternative modes of transportation, such as public transit, walking, and cycling, can also help reduce traffic. This can be done by providing dedicated infrastructure, such as bike lanes and sidewalks, and making public transit more affordable and accessible.

500 Words Essay on Problem Of Traffic

Traffic problems and solutions.

Every day, millions of people around the world experience the frustration of traffic jams. Traffic is a major issue in many cities, causing delays, air pollution, and stress. In this essay, we will explore the problem of traffic and discuss some potential solutions.

There are many factors that contribute to traffic problems. One major cause is the increasing number of vehicles on the road. As more and more people own cars, the number of vehicles on the road increases, leading to congestion. Another cause of traffic problems is inadequate infrastructure. In many cities, the roads and highways are not able to handle the volume of traffic, leading to congestion and delays.

Effects of Traffic Problems

Potential solutions.

Another potential solution is to use technology to manage traffic more efficiently. This can be done by using traffic signals that adjust to the volume of traffic, by providing real-time traffic information to drivers, and by using intelligent transportation systems to optimize the flow of traffic.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Solving Traffic and Pollution Problems: Essay Ideas

Below are some ideas for the following IELTS writing task 2 essay question.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?

There are two questions to answer:

• Do you think increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems?
• What other measures do you think might be effective to solve traffic and pollution problems?

Increasing the price of petrol:

• if the price is increased, less people will be able to afford it
• if less people can afford petrol, less people will drive cars
• if less people drive cars, there will be less congestion on the roads
• if less people drive, there will be less air pollution

Other ways to solve traffic and pollution problems:

• traffic problems can be solved by improving public transport to encourage more people to use it rather than to use their own cars
• public transport can be improved by having more public transport available, making it more punctual and reducing the price of tickets to make it more affordable to the average person
• another measure is to have no traffic zones in city centers which will  reduce both congestion and pollution in urban centers.

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Hi Liz. I have a question, please , if possible, instruct me the best way to do it. So, in some essay has two questions. To be specific, in the agree and disagree essay I don’t know how I should approach. Like this: To what extent do you agree or disagree, and next question in the same essay : ‘What other measures do you think might be effective’. Please, enlight me if I construct the essey: introduction, the first paragraph- the first side(which I don’t agree, the second- which I agree, third paragraph-solution? Or the first-my side, senond-solutions?

You are over thinking. Try to take a very simple, logical approach. IELTS is testing you on logical organisation. One body paragraphs contains your opinion (whatever it is) and the other body paragraph contains the solutions. Simple, clear, logical = high band score for Coherence & Cohesion.

Is it okay to use “this essay will discuss/ this essay discussed?? I’ve seen many teachers teach this . Thank you!

If the instructions ask for your opinion, the words “this essay will” does not express your opinion.

Dear ma’am , How can i improve my sentense formation ………. My teacher said that ” mostly, i make incorrect sentense ” please give the instruction to make correct sentense ………. Thankyou…

You need an English language teacher and an English language website. This website is for IELTS skills. Start developing your English first.

Hi Liz, this topic popped up on 25 Mar IELTS in Australia.

Yes, sometimes the topics and questions can re-appear in the test 🙂

hai liz please suggest what type of essay is the below mentioned one.

Some companies have uniform for their staffs which must be worn at all times

What are the advantages for a company of having a uniform?

Are there any benefits of having a uniform for the staff ? tnq kalaivanan

This is Direct Question Essay. You have two questions to answer.

hi Liz, i’m not clear about what type of question is this?is it opinion essay,cause/solution or direct question essay????

It is a mixed type. It contains an opinion with solutions.

Please have a look at this one. Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree. What other measures do you think might be effective.

Growing traffic is considered to be a major issue to the world. More cars are hitting the road day by day, which lead to serious pollution problems. In order to tackle this ongoing issue, countries decide to increase the price of petrol, as they think it is the most convenient approach and use some alternatives to petrol like wind and solar power that might be effective. I personally feel that increasing petrol price is not necessary to cut down pollution problems.

To begin with, we can classify people into three categories based on their income such as low income, middle income and rich. When the country increases the petrol price, the first two of these categories will be affected. With regards to low paid people, they suffer from paying petrol’s normal price, but when it is increased, they will not be able to afford it. It is likely to be the same with middle-income people, the money they get is only sufficient for their hand and mouth, so they spend their money consciously. Most of their money goes for household appliances, children education, electricity, and petrol. When petrol price increases, they will suffer a lot and think twice before paying for petrol. On the other hand, this will not majorly affect rich people, as they can afford petrol because of their extra allowances.

However, the country should encourage people to reduce the usage of cars by advertising the consequences of the traffic congestion on the society. Having said that, carpooling is another environmentally friendly solution, as it reduces the carbon footprint of each individual by going to work in groups. In addition to that, we as individuals play a major role in this process. We should be aware of keeping our body fit by cycling or walking instead of using cars for short distances. This will help us to be physically active and healthy, as well as reduce the consumption of petrol. Furthermore, Government could also reserve separate lanes for carpoolers, bicyclers and pedestrians so that they can reach their destination faster which will encourage other people to follow them.

To conclude, traffic is one of the main causes of pollution as it produces harmful gasses and we should be aware of this catastrophic problem. The Government should raise awareness among people on limiting the usage of petrol and use public transportation to keep our atmosphere safe and clean. In this regard, I feel that the government should focus on educating the people instead of increasing the price of petrol. Government and people are the two sides of a coin, so not only the Government always plays a role in saving our earth, but also we should work along with the Government in order to restrict the pollution problem due to the large consumption of petrol.

I don’t usually comment. However, I will say that your conclusion should be either one or two sentences long – no more.

It is believed that the most effective solution to rapidly increasing traffic and pollution problems is to make petrol expensive. In my opinion, I agree that, by doing so, it will help to bring down the traffic congestion but there are also other ways to curb the exploding traffic and pollution menace.

Hi Liz How can I write a thesis statement for a cause and effect essay?

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years.

What are the causes and effects ?

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hi Liz…i am confused with the use of the verb ‘increase’…I thought that it is a passive verb which means that we do not use it in Passive voice as it has a passive meaning..However you used the phrase ‘if the price is increased’or …’need to be increased’…please could you explain me this grammatic phenomenon?…thanks a lot

This verb can be used in all forms. Please check your dictionary. All the best Liz

I noticed that the question states “pollution problem”. Would I be deviating from the topic if I state that increasing fuel cost will not be the optimal solution for mitigating pollution issues since other factors unrelated to car use may pollute the air, such as improper waste disposal?

I am looking forward to your response. thank you very much.

For this essay question, the subject is both traffic and pollution together which means you can separate them. The pollution in the essay question relates to traffic pollution only so it wouldn’t be advisable to start writing about other sources of pollution. Liz

Hi Liz sorry for disturbing.Could you assess my essay and give some advices.

Nowadays,increasing number of cars on roads,one of the big issues for the environment and growthing amount of people.Owing to,vehicles emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,which able to create greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.Simultaneously,greenhouse gases cause to raise average ambient temperature. In my opinion,increasing the price of petrol isn’t the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.Due to,the people who has afford to drive a car,although increasing price of petrol,ongoing driving,by connecting it with their needing.Meanwhille,increasing price of petrol can influence to the price of other manufactures trade,makes it raise.That is why,I can’t go along this opinion.In addition,the increasing price of petrol also can lead to protest and demonstrations,which aren’t good for goverment policy. I suggest that the solution start mass to make vehicles which use alternative types of fuel instead of petrol and that is can mitigate the pollution of environment.Furthermore,for reducing traffic congestion I reckon that,some rich people need change their opinion about cars psychologically.They should look to cars as transport method don’t as luxurious.Because,many rich families have more cars than they need.To conclude,I’d like to mention about that,todays many entrepreneurs at the world are interesting about mass producing cars which use alternative types of fuel (hybrid,hydrogen e.t.c.)

Please read my notice about posting writing: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/ Thanks Liz

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Band 7+: One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion. What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

These days, traffic jams are considered to be one of the main problems in the modern world. The primary cause of this issue is related to the state of public transport and poorly designed roads. However, viable solutions are the improvement of both public transportation and infrastructure. This essay will examine these problems in detail and then propose solutions.

Nowadays, increasingly more people have their own cars, which leads to congestion on the roads. That is to say, these cars are thought to be more convenient than other vehicles such as buses and subways. Due to the fact that public transport is always crowded, old, and dirty. Moreover, the quantity of buses is not enough for large cities. The solution for the government is to invest more resources into upgrading public transportation. Additionally, make efforts to increase the number of buses.

Another cause of traffic is inadequate road layout. What I mean by this is that the majority of roads consist of 2 or 3 lanes, which are insufficient for such a number of cars. Furthermore, on the roads where cars are driven, bicycle enthusiasts and motorcyclists also ride. Consequently, this all contributes to the congestion of the roads. The way forward must be to expand road layouts and to make separate cycle tracks, as well as bus lanes.

In conclusion, despite the fact that problems with the quality of public transport and failed road plans are causing traffic congestion, it is undoubtedly possible to start to tackle it and boost infrastructure.

Check Your Own Essay On This Topic?

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A vast majority of urban areas are challenged with the issue of traffic jams. This phenomenon occurs due to rush hour traffic, which can be reduced by the introduction of a park-and-ride system. It should be considered that urban traffic congestion is caused by an excessive number of vehicles on the roads. To contextualize, a […]

Majority of hustling and bustling cities experienced a same common problem which is traffic jam. This essay highlights the reasons for this issue and ways to address them. First of all, one of the cause is overpopulation of the city. Generally, some large cities offer many quality jobs for the citizens. This will result in […]

It is observed that traffic congestion has become a major concern in many cities across the globe. This issue can be attributed to several reasons and viable solutions to remedy the situation will be outlined in this essay. There are two main contributors to the issue of traffic jams issues around the world. Chief of […]

Big cities all around the world experience a common problem: traffic congestion. The main cause is probably that too many people travel by car every day, and a possible solution would be to improve public transport, as well as encouraging people to prefer it over personal vehicles. The principal motive of city traffic problems is […]

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Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions Proposal

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Introduction

Scope of the research, literature review.

Road traffic crashes (RTCs) or road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major cause of injuries and deaths both in the US and worldwide. A report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that in 2013, traffic accidents claimed the lives of approximately 1.3 million people (WHO, n.d.). RTAs are the main cause of death for young drivers aged 15 to 29 years (WHO, 2015). If the current trend continues, RTAs will account for every fifth death worldwide by 2030 (Ernstberger et al., 2015).

Fortunately, recent efforts by federal, state, and local authorities and non-profit organizations have led to a dramatic decrease in traffic accidents in the US. Nonetheless, more than 30, 000 lives were lost to traffic crashes in the US in 2012 (Lee, Abdel-Aty, & Choi, 2014). These tragic statistics call for a better understanding of traffic safety issues that have led to an increase in the American burden of deaths and injuries.

There are many factors that contribute to both the incidence rates of vehicle crashes and their severity. The findings of a study conducted by Morgan and Mannering show that there are “substantial differences across age/gender groups under different roadway-surface conditions and argued that drivers perceive and react to pavement surface conditions in different ways based on gender and as they age” (as cited in Kim, Ulfarsson, Kim, & Shankar, 2013).

In addition to gender and age, alcohol-impaired driving plays a substantial role in car crashes. In the US, alcohol-impaired crashes accounted for 10, 228 deaths in 2011 (Ferguson, 2012). From the point of view of traffic injury prevention, it is clear that alcohol-related traffic accidents are an exceptionally pernicious problem that requires careful study and effective countermeasures.

The aim of this paper is to present a proposal for a research project on the role of ethnicity in alcohol-related traffic accidents. The project will help to better understand whether members of different ethnic groups are at different risk of being involved in alcohol-related traffic accidents because of variances in their blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.

Even though considerable progress has been made during the last few decades in reducing the number of RTAs and especially alcohol-related traffic accidents, hospital and police records reveal that many ethnic and socioeconomic groups are still overrepresented in traffic fatalities (Sehat, Naieni, Asadi-Lari, Foroushani, & Malek-Afzali, 2012). Numerous studies and government reports point to the fact that a likelihood of being involved in driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) differs across ethnic groups (Hallstone, 2013; Keys, Liu, & Cerda, 2012).

A study conducted by Caetano, Vaeth, Chartier, and Mills (2014) shows that some ethnicities are more likely than others to consume alcoholic beverages. Specifically, non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks are much likely to develop lifetime alcohol abuse and dependence than Hispanics.

Despite the fact that Hispanics are less likely to display harmful patterns of alcohol consumption, which are associated with a higher risk of traffic accidents, major epidemiologic surveys in the US suggest that it is an ethnic group that is related to the substantial incidence of alcohol-attributable crashes (Keys et al., 2012). However, Hispanics are at a lower risk for self-reported DUI than Whites and at a higher risk than Asians, and Blacks in the US (Delcher, Johnson, & Maldonado-Molina, 2014). It means that complex phenomena may underlie ethnic disparities in the risk of involvement in alcohol-related RTAs. Therefore, there is a need to investigate why the rate of incidence of injurious deaths from motor vehicle accidents is not uniform across different ethnicities.

Prior to analyzing the extant literature on the subject and developing a hypothesis regarding the relationship between alcohol-related RTAs involvement and ethnicity, it is necessary to delineate the scope of the research. In order to ensure that the scope of this research is specific enough, it will be limited to a specific area (the State of California) and a sub-area (Northern California).

DUI in California

Over the last few decades, a considerable body of research has been accumulated on traffic accidents in the United States. Area-specific evidence on RTAs is also plentiful, which allows gauging the scope of the issue at hand. DUI arrest rates in California indicate that the problem accounts for a substantial share of local law enforcement efforts (MacLeod et al., 2017). The data for single-vehicle crashes gathered by the California Highway Patrol, suggests that crashes occur at diverse weather conditions and involve different age, gender, and ethnic groups (Kim et al., 2013). Furthermore, there are also substantial differences in injury distributions across these categories.

According to a set of statistics produced by a federal traffic safety agency, 3, 074 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2014 (Brekke, 2015). The number represents a 2.5 percent increase from the previous year’s death toll of 3, 000 (Brekke, 2015). Most importantly, the increase is representative of a larger trend of the growth in the number of RTAs in California. Namely, 2014 was “the fourth year in a row that vehicle-related fatalities have increased in the state” (Brekke, 2015, para. 4).

A fact sheet issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that more than 10, 000 people were killed in alcohol-related RTAs in California over the period between 2003 and 2012 (CDC, 2014). In 2013, the total number of DUI arrests in the state was 162, 199 (Ticket Crushers, 2015). Fatal collisions accounted for 568 arrests, injury collisions for 11, 861 arrests, alcohol-involved fatal collisions for 1, 075 arrests, and alcohol-involved injury collisions for 16, 060 arrests (Ticket Crushers, 2015). Given that there are substantial ethnic differences in alcohol consumption, it is necessary to explore ethnic variations in DUI statistics.

A report issued by the University of California Traffic Safety Center reveals that there are disturbing patterns of RTAs in Hispanic communities of California (Cooper, Wilder, Lankina, Geyer, & Ragland, 2015). The report is a part of the Latino Traffic Safety Project the aim of which is to improve understanding of traffic safety in the Hispanic population of California. The population is expected to reach twenty million people by 2065 (Cooper et al., 2015).

The project analyzes the following elements of traffic safety in the population: DUI, seat belt use, child passenger safety, pedestrian safety, licensing, and community organization among others. It is projected that Hispanics will become a major ethnic group in California by 2020 (Cooper et al., 2015). This demographic shift implies that any existing traffic safety issues in the population might present significant challenges for the state.

The findings of the report show that “drinking and driving are consistently cited as the most pressing traffic safety problem in Hispanic communities” (Cooper et al., 2015, p. 9). Given that males are at a higher risk of being involved in DUI, it is safe to assume that young Hispanic males are disproportionately presented in DUI arrest statistics. Indeed, the report confirms that the rate of DUI arrests is “the most pronounced among 21-to 30-year-olds” (Cooper et al., 2015, p. 9) Hispanic males.

The information presented in the report also provides some insights into ethnic discrepancies in DUI data. Specifically, the sale of alcohol to agricultural workers, the increase in the population of Hispanics during harvest seasons, and the lack of recreational opportunities for young Hispanic males are named as problems specific to rural communities of the state (Cooper et al., 2015). Taking into consideration the fact that these issues cannot be extrapolated to Northern California, it is necessary to find an independent variable that can be extended to the sub-area.

A recent study on the relationship between differences in the perception of risk for drinking and driving in California shows that more than nine percent of its participants did not perceive DUI a substantial traffic concern (MacLeod et al., 2017). Most importantly, the study reveals an important independent variable for high incident rates of traffic accidents—BAC.

It has been long recognized that the consumption of alcohol impairs the sensory and motor faculties of an individual. These faculties are critical for driving performance; therefore, their impairment can result in a higher risk of traffic accidents. A study on alcohol-impaired driving indicates that psychomotor faculties of a person are impaired to a great extent even by “the effects of low-to-moderate BACs (≤0.100%)” (Martin et al., 2013, p. 1242).

Even though there is no threshold effect for BAC impairment, it has been discovered that “BACs of 0.050% and higher can produce impairment of the major components of driver performance for most people” (Martin et al., 2013, p. 1247). Therefore, the National Transportation Safety Board has established this level of BAC as a limit for driving in the US (Fell & Voas, 2014).

There is a substantial discrepancy between self-reported DUI data and crash incidence data for Hispanics (Voas, Torres, Romano, & Lacey, 2012). In order to account for this discrepancy, the researcher assumes that Hispanics are less involved in DUI than other ethnicities and more involved in RTAs because the volume of alcohol they consume per occasion is higher than that for other ethnicities. This assumption is based on the findings of a study on alcohol consumption and economic losses. The study suggests that Hispanics are particularly vulnerable to “the negative effects of economic hardship on the development and/or maintenance of alcohol problems” (Zemore, Mulia, Jones-Webb, Huiguo, & Schmidt, 2013, p. 12).

Even though there are many studies that investigate relationships between variables such as age, gender, and socioeconomic characteristics of drivers involved in RTAs, to the researcher’s knowledge, the possibility that Hispanics in Northern California are at a higher risk for traffic accidents at higher BAC levels has not been explored.

Brekke, D. (2015). With rising number of highway deaths, California bucks national trend . Web.

Caetano, R., Vaeth, P., Chartier, K., & Mills, B. (2014). Epidemiology of drinking, alcohol use disorders, and related problems in US ethnic minority groups. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 124 (1), 629-643.

CDC. (2014). Sobering facts: Drunk driving in California . Web.

Cooper, J., Wilder, T., Lankina, E., Geyer, J., & Ragland, D. (2015). Traffic safety among Latino populations in California: Current status and policy recommendations . Web.

Delcher, C., Johnson, R., & Maldonado-Molina, M. (2014). Driving after drinking among young adults of different race/ethnicities in the United States: Unique risk factors in early adolescence? Journal of Adolescent Health, 52 (5), 584-591.

Ernstberger, A., Joeris, A., Daigl, M., Kiss, M., Angerpointer, K., Nerlich, M.,… Schmucker, U. (2015). Decrease of morbidity in road traffic accidents in a high income country: An analysis of 24, 405 accidents in a 21-year period. International Journal of the Care of the Injured, 46 (4), 135-143.

Fell, J., & Voas, R. (2014). The effectiveness of a 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving in the United States. Addiction, 14 (1), 112-119.

Ferguson, S. (2012). Alcohol-impaired driving in the United States: Contributors to the problem and effective countermeasures. Traffic Injury Prevention , 13(1), 427-441.

Hallstone, M. (2013). The criminal history of repeat DUI offenders. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 31 (1), 337-347.

Keys, K., Liu, X., & Cerda, M. (2012). The role of race/ethnicity in alcohol-attributable injury in the United States. Epidemiologic Reviews, 34( 1), 89-102.

Kim, J., Ulfarsson, G., Kim, S., & Shankar, V. (2013). Driver-injury in single-vehicle crashes in California: A mixed analysis of heterogeneity due to age and gender. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 50 (1), 1073-1081.

Lee, J., Abdel-Aty, M., & Choi, K. (2014). Analysis of residence characteristics of at-fault drivers in traffic crashes. Safety Science, 68 (1), 6-13.

MacLeod, K., Jaffe, K., Satariano, W., Kelley-Baker, T., Lacey, J., & Raqland, D. (2017). Drinking and driving and perceptions of arrest risk among California drivers: Relationships with DUI arrests in their city of residence. Traffic Injury Prevention, 18 (6), 566-572.

Martin, T., Solbeck, P., Mayers, D., Langille, R., Buczek, Y., & Pelletier, M. (2013). A review of alcohol-impaired driving: The role of blood alcohol concentration and complexity of the driving task. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58 (5), 1238-1250.

NHTSA. (n.d.). Fatality analysis reporting system (FARS) . Web.

Sehat, M., Naieni, K., Asadi-Lari, M., Foroushani, A., & Malek-Afzali, H. (2012). Socioeconomic status and incidence of traffic accidents in Metropolitan Tehran: A population-based study. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3 (3), 181-190.

Ticket Crushers. (2015). California DUI statistics . Web.

Voas, R., Torres, P., Romano, E., & Lacey, J. (2012). Alcohol-related risk of driver fatalities: An update using 2007 data. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 73 (3), 341-350.

WHO. (2015). Global status report on road safety 2015 . Web.

WHO. (n.d.). Number of road traffic deaths . Web.

Zemore, S., Mulia, N., Jones-Webb, R., Huiguo, M., & Schmidt, L. (2013). The 2008-2009 recession and alcohol outcomes: Differential exposure and vulnerability for Black and Latino populations. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 74 (1), 9-20.

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IvyPanda. (2020, November 2). Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions. https://ivypanda.com/essays/road-traffic-accidents-problems-and-solutions/

"Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions." IvyPanda , 2 Nov. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/road-traffic-accidents-problems-and-solutions/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions'. 2 November.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions." November 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/road-traffic-accidents-problems-and-solutions/.

1. IvyPanda . "Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions." November 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/road-traffic-accidents-problems-and-solutions/.

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IvyPanda . "Road Traffic Accidents: Problems and Solutions." November 2, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/road-traffic-accidents-problems-and-solutions/.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Traffic — Taming the Traffic Beast: A Solution to Traffic Jams

Taming The Traffic Beast: a Solution to Traffic Jams

• Categories: Air Pollution Traffic

About this sample

Words: 586 |

Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 586 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

The root causes of traffic jams, the consequences of traffic jams, solutions to alleviate traffic jams.

• Overpopulation and Urbanization: Rapid population growth and urbanization lead to increased vehicle ownership and road usage.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Many cities lack the necessary road infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of vehicles.
• Commuter Patterns: Concentrated commuter patterns during rush hours exacerbate congestion.
• Poor Public Transportation: Inadequate public transportation systems force more people to rely on private vehicles.
• Inefficient Traffic Management: Outdated traffic management systems and policies contribute to bottlenecks.
• Economic Loss: Businesses suffer from increased delivery times and decreased productivity, costing billions annually.
• Environmental Damage: Idling vehicles emit greenhouse gases, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
• Health Concerns: Prolonged exposure to traffic-related air pollutants can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues.
• Stress and Reduced Quality of Life: Commuters face stress, anxiety, and a reduced quality of life due to time wasted in traffic.

1. Investment in Public Transportation

2. infrastructure expansion and maintenance, 3. implement smart traffic management systems, 4. encourage carpooling and ride-sharing, 5. congestion pricing, 6. telecommuting and flexible work hours, 7. bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, 8. public awareness and education.

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Essay on Traffic Jam for Students and Children

500+ words essay on traffic jam.

Traffic jam is the situation when vehicles are stopped completely for some time period on the roads. Also, vehicles have to wait for a long time to move out of the jam. Sometimes it becomes like congestion in traffic. This happens in transport network due to the increasing vehicles and overuse of roads. Often it is due to slow speed, longer trip time and increased queues of vehicles. Therefore, traffic jam is becoming a major issue mostly in all cities.

Problems arising due to Traffic Jam

Traffic Jam has a tremendous impact on the life of people. It is one of the most serious problems in big cities that people have to deal in daily life. Since most of the people have to deal with it on a daily basis they may get psychologically affected. It also negatively affects work, education and personal life of people and finally to the progress of the country.

Let us discuss some major problems that arise due to high traffic:

• Traffic is one of the major problems in cities and has made the lives of people really difficult. Obviously, it results in non-productive activity.
• People experience delays for their important work. This may even result in personal as well as professional losses.
• It is also the main cause of wastage of fuels and air pollution.
• It increases stress and frustration among motorists and passengers.
• Unsafe driving is the main impact of traffic jam which may lead to road mishaps and hence injuries.
• Traffic jams can also have a negative impact on the mind of a person. The traffic congestion and constant blowing of horns create excessive noise pollution.

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Disadvantages of Traffic Jam:

Let us have a look at some chief disadvantages of traffic jams in detail below:

• Unproductive time is the major disadvantage of traffic jam.
• The other negative effect of much traffic is the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to the issue of global warming .
• Businesses nowadays provide home delivery services. Such time bond businesses are strongly affected by the traffic jam.
• The frequent breaking and accelerating the vehicles in traffic jams burns more fuel. Hence it is the additional loss.
• Road rage is the absurd reaction of commuters that is very common during traffic jams. People often use bad language and drive aggressively that can lead to accidents.
• Emergency vehicles like fire brigade and ambulance get stuck up in traffic jams that cause a delay in reaching the location.

Suggestions:

Some suggestions to solve the traffic jam problem are as follows:

• People should use public transport as much as possible.
• The government must increase the facilities of public transport as per the need of the population.
• Everyone should avoid the unnecessary collection of vehicles.
• People should use carpool and vehicle sharing to decrease the vehicles on the road.
• Conditions of the road in India is not good. Authorities must improve this situation.
• Vehicle registration and motor driving license policy must be strictly implemented.
• People must be aware of traffic rules and also be motivated to follow strictly.
• Mixed traffic on the roads is also a big reason for it. So, it must be banned.

Conclusion:

Thus, traffic jam is a serious issue in every big city that causes several problems for common people. It consumes so much of time and energy unnecessarily and hence the loss of the nation. Therefore, serious measures have to be taken by the authorities to control traffic and promote the use of public transport. Development of public transport network at economical rates is essential. Implementation of traffic safety rules by traffic police is a must. People should drive more sensibly and responsibly. Hence we all can work in this way to solve the big threat of the current time.

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Traffic: Why It’s Getting Worse, What Government Can Do

Subscribe to the brookings metro update, anthony downs anthony downs former brookings expert.

January 1, 2004

• 17 min read
• Introduction

The Real Problem

Coping with the mobility problem, the principle of triple convergence, triple convergence and other proposals, how population growth can swamp transportation capacity, low-density settlements, possible improvements.

Rising traffic congestion is an inescapable condition in large and growing metropolitan areas across the world, from Los Angeles to Tokyo, from Cairo to Sao Paolo. Peak-hour traffic congestion is an inherent result of the way modern societies operate. It stems from the widespread desires of people to pursue certain goals that inevitably overload existing roads and transit systems every day. But everyone hates traffic congestion, and it keeps getting worse, in spite of attempted remedies.

Commuters are often frustrated by policymakers’ inability to do anything about the problem, which poses a significant public policy challenge. Although governments may never be able to eliminate road congestion, there are several ways cities and states can move to curb it.

POLICY BRIEF #128

Traffic congestion is not primarily a problem, but rather the solution to our basic mobility problem, which is that too many people want to move at the same times each day. Why? Because efficient operation of both the economy and school systems requires that people work, go to school, and even run errands during about the same hours so they can interact with each other. That basic requirement cannot be altered without crippling our economy and society. The same problem exists in every major metropolitan area in the world.

In the United States, the vast majority of people seeking to move during rush hours use private automotive vehicles, for two reasons. One is that most Americans reside in low-density areas that public transit cannot efficiently serve. The second is that privately owned vehicles are more comfortable, faster, more private, more convenient in trip timing, and more flexible for doing multiple tasks on one trip than almost any form of public transit. As household incomes rise around the world, more and more people shift from slower, less expensive modes of movement to privately owned cars and trucks.

With 87.9 percent of America’s daily commuters using private vehicles, and millions wanting to move at the same times of day, America’s basic problem is that its road system does not have the capacity to handle peak-hour loads without forcing many people to wait in line for that limited road space. Waiting in line is the definition of congestion, and the same condition is found in all growing major metropolitan regions. In fact, traffic congestion is worse in most other countries because American roads are so much better.

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There are four ways any region can try to cope with the mobility challenge. But three of them are politically impractical or physically and financially impossible in the United States.

Charging peak-hour tolls. Governments can charge people money to enter all the lanes on major commuting roads during peak hours. If tolls were set high enough and collected electronically with “smart cards,” the number of vehicles on each major road during peak hours could be reduced enough so that vehicles could move at high speeds. That would allow more people to travel per lane per hour than under current, heavily congested conditions.

Transportation economists have long been proponents of this tactic, but most Americans reject this solution politically for two reasons. Tolls would favor wealthier or subsidized drivers and harm poor ones, so most Americans would resent them, partly because they believe they would be at a disadvantage.

The second drawback is that people think these tolls would be just another tax, forcing them to pay for something they have already paid for through gasoline taxes. For both these reasons, few politicians in our democracy—and so far, anywhere else in the world—advocate this tactic. Limited road-pricing schemes that have been adopted in Singapore, Norway, and London only affect congestion in crowded downtowns, which is not the kind of congestion on major arteries that most Americans experience.

Greatly expanding road capacity. The second approach would be to build enough road capacity to handle all drivers who want to travel in peak hours at the same time without delays. But this “cure” is totally impractical and prohibitively expensive. Governments would have to widen all major commuting roads by demolishing millions of buildings, cutting down trees, and turning most of every metropolitan region into a giant concrete slab. Those roads would then be grossly underutilized during non-peak hours. There are many occasions when adding more road capacity is a good idea, but no large region can afford to build enough to completely eliminate peak-hour congestion.

Greatly expanding public transit capacity. The third approach would be to expand public transit capacity enough to shift so many people from cars to transit that there would be no more excess demand for roads during peak hours. But in the United States in 2000, only 4.7 percent of all commuters traveled by public transit. (Outside of New York City, only 3.5 percent use transit and 89.3 percent use private vehicles.) A major reason is that most transit commuting is concentrated in a few large, densely settled regions with extensive fixed-rail transit systems. The nine U.S. metropolitan areas with the most daily transit commuters, when taken together, account for 61 percent of all U.S. transit commuting, though they contain only 17 percent of the total population. Within those regions, transit commuters are 17 percent of all commuters, but elsewhere, transit carries only 2.4 percent of all commuters, and less than one percent in many low-density regions.

Even if America’s existing transit capacity were tripled and fully utilized, morning peak-hour transit travel would rise to 11.0 percent of all morning trips. But that would reduce all morning private vehicle trips by only 8.0 percent—certainly progress, but hardly enough to end congestion—and tripling public transit capacity would be extremely costly. There are many good reasons to expand the nation’s public transit systems to aid mobility, but doing so will not notably reduce either existing or future peak-hour traffic congestion.

Living with congestion. This is the sole viable option. The only feasible way to accommodate excess demand for roads during peak periods is to have people wait in line. That means traffic congestion, which is an absolutely essential mechanism for American regions—and most other metropolitan regions throughout the world—to cope with excess demands for road space during peak hours each day.

Although congestion can seem intolerable, the alternatives would be even worse. Peak-hour congestion is the balancing mechanism that makes it possible for Americans to pursue other goals they value, including working or sending their children to school at the same time as their peers, living in low-density settlements, and having a wide choice of places to live and work.

The least understood aspect of peak-hour traffic congestion is the principle of triple convergence, which I discussed in the original version of Stuck in Traffic (Brookings/Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 1992). This phenomenon occurs because traffic flows in any region’s overall transportation networks form almost automatically self-adjusting relationships among different routes, times, and modes. For example, a major commuting expressway might be so heavily congested each morning that traffic crawls for at least thirty minutes. If that expressway’s capacity were doubled overnight, the next day’s traffic would flow rapidly because the same number of drivers would have twice as much road space. But soon word would spread that this particular highway was no longer congested. Drivers who had once used that road before and after the peak hour to avoid congestion would shift back into the peak period. Other drivers who had been using alternative routes would shift onto this more convenient expressway. Even some commuters who had been using the subway or trains would start driving on this road during peak periods. Within a short time, this triple convergence onto the expanded road during peak hours would make the road as congested as it was before its expansion.

Experience shows that if a road is part of a larger transportation network within a region, peak-hour congestion cannot be eliminated for long on a congested road by expanding that road’s capacity.

The triple convergence principle does not mean that expanding a congested road’s capacity has no benefits. After expansion, the road can carry more vehicles per hour than before, no matter how congested it is, so more people can travel on it during those more desirable periods. Also, the periods of maximum congestion may be shorter, and congestion on alternative routes may be lower. Those are all benefits, but that road will still experience some period of maximum congestion daily.

Triple convergence affects the practicality of other suggested remedies to traffic congestion. An example is staggered work hours. In theory, if a certain number of workers are able to commute during less crowded parts of the day, that will free up space on formerly congested roads. But once traffic moves faster on those roads during peak hours, that will attract other drivers from other routes, other times, and other modes where conditions have not changed to shift onto the improved roads. Soon the removal of the staggered-working-hour drivers will be fully offset by convergence.

The same thing will happen if more workers become telecommuters and work at home, or if public transit capacity is expanded on off-road routes that parallel a congested expressway. This is why building light rail systems or even new subways rarely reduces peak-hour traffic congestion. In Portland, where the light rail system doubled in size in the 1990s, and in Dallas, where a new light rail system opened, congestion did not decline for long after these systems were up and running. Only road pricing or higher gasoline taxes are exempt from the principle of triple convergence.

A ground transportation system’s equilibria can also be affected by big changes in the region’s population or economic activity. If a region’s population is growing rapidly, as in Southern California or Florida, any expansions of major expressway capacity may soon be swamped by more vehicles generated by the added population. This result is strengthened because America’s vehicle population has been increasing even faster than its human population. From 1980 to 2000, 1.2 more automotive vehicles were added to the vehicle population of the United States for every 1.0 person added to the human population (though this ratio declined to 1 to 1 in the 1990s). The nation’s human population is expected to grow by around 60 million by 2020—possibly adding another 60 million vehicles to our national stock. That is why prospects for reducing peak-hour traffic congestion in the future are dim indeed.

Shifts in economic activity also affect regional congestion. During the internet and telecommunications boom of the late 1990s, congestion in the San Francisco Bay Area intensified immensely. After the economic “bubble” burst in 2000, congestion fell markedly without any major change in population. Thus, severe congestion can be a sign of strong regional prosperity, just as reduced congestion can signal an economic downturn.

The most obvious reason traffic congestion has increased everywhere is population growth. In a wealthy nation, more people means more vehicles. But total vehicle mileage traveled has grown much faster than population. From 1980 to 2000, the total population of the United States rose 24 percent, but total vehicle miles traveled grew 80 percent because of more intensive use of each vehicle. The number of vehicles per 1,000 persons rose 14 percent and the number of miles driven per vehicle rose 24 percent. Even without any population gain in those two decades, miles driven would have risen 47 percent.

One reason people drove their vehicles farther is that a combination of declining real gas prices (corrected for inflation) and more miles per gallon caused the real cost of each mile driven to fall 54 percent from 1980 to 2000. That helped raise the fraction of U.S. households owning cars from 86 percent in 1983 to 92 percent in 1995.

Furthermore, American road building lagged far behind increases in vehicle travel. Urban lane-miles rose by 37 percent versus an 80 percent increase in miles traveled. As a result, the amount of daily traffic that was congested in the 75 areas analyzed in studies by the Texas Transportation Institute went from 16 percent in 1982 to 34 percent in 2001.

Another factor in road congestion is accidents and incidents, which some experts believe cause half of all traffic congestion. From 1980 to 2000, the absolute number of accidents each year has remained amazingly constant, and the annual number of traffic deaths in the United States fell 18 percent, in spite of the great rise in vehicle miles traveled. So accidents could only have caused more congestion because roads were more crowded, and each accident may now cause longer back-ups than before.

Incidents are non-accident causes of delay, such as stalled cars, road repairs, overturned vehicles, and bad weather. No one knows how many incidents occur, but it is a much greater number than accidents. And the number of incidents probably rises along with total driving. So that could have added to greater congestion, and will in the future.

Another crucial factor contributing to traffic congestion is the desire of most Americans to live in low-density settlements. In 1999, the National Association of Homebuilders asked 2,000 randomly-selected households whether they would rather buy a $150,000 townhouse in an urban setting that was close to public transportation, work, and shopping or a larger, detached single-family home in an outlying suburban area, where distances to work, public transportation, and shopping were longer. Eighty-three percent of respondents chose the larger, farther-out suburban home. At the same time, new workplaces have been spreading out in low-density areas in most metropolitan regions.

Past studies, including one published in 1977 by Boris S. Pushkarev and Jeffery M. Zupan, have shown that public transit works best where gross residential densities are above 4,200 persons per square mile; relatively dense housing is clustered close to transit stations or stops; and large numbers of jobs are concentrated in relatively compact business districts.

But in 2000, at least two thirds of all residents of U.S. urbanized areas lived in settlements with densities of under 4,000 persons per square mile. Those densities are too low for public transit to be effective. Hence their residents are compelled to rely on private vehicles for almost all of their travel, including trips during peak hours.

Recognizing this situation, many opponents of “sprawl” call for strong urban growth boundaries to constrain future growth into more compact, higher-density patterns, including greater reinvestment and increased densities in existing neighborhoods. But most residents of those neighborhoods vehemently oppose raising densities, and most American regions already have densities far too low to support much public transit. So this strategy would not reduce future traffic congestion much.

While it’s practically impossible to eliminate congestion, there are several ways to slow its future rate of increase:

Create High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Peak-hour road pricing would not be politically feasible if policymakers put tolls on all major commuter lanes, but HOT lanes can increase traveler choices by adding new toll lanes to existing expressways, or converting underused high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to HOT lanes, and leaving present conventional lanes without tolls. True, HOT lanes do not eliminate congestion. But they allow anyone who needs to move fast on any given day to do so, without forcing all low-income drivers off those same roads during peak periods. In some regions, whole networks of HOT lanes could both add to overall capacity and make high-speed choices always available to thousands of people in a hurry.

Respond more rapidly to traffic-blocking accidents and incidents. Removing accidents and incidents from major roads faster by using roving service vehicles run by government-run Traffic Management Centers equipped with television and electronic surveillance of road conditions is an excellent tactic for reducing congestion delays.

Build more roads in growing areas. Opponents of building more roads claim that we cannot build our way out of congestion because more highway capacity will simply attract more travelers. Due to triple convergence, that criticism is true for established roads that are already overcrowded. But the large projected growth of the U.S. population surely means that we will need a lot more road and lane mileage in peripheral areas.

Install ramp-metering. This means letting vehicles enter expressways only gradually. It has improved freeway speed during peak hours in both Seattle and the Twin Cities, and could be much more widely used.

Use Intelligent Transportation System devices to speed traffic flows. These devices include electronic coordination of signal lights on local streets, large variable signs informing drivers of traffic conditions ahead, one-way street patterns, Global Positioning System equipment in cars and trucks, and radio broadcasts of current road conditions. These technologies exist now and can be effective on local streets and arteries and informative on expressways.

Create more HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes. HOV lanes have proven successful in many areas such as Houston. More regions could use HOV lanes effectively if there were more lanes built for that purpose, rather than trying to convert existing ones. Merely converting existing lanes would reduce overall road capacity.

Adopt “parking cash-out” programs. Demonstration programs have shown that if firms offer to pay persons now receiving free employee parking a stipend for shifting to carpooling or transit, significant percentages will do so. That could reduce the number of cars on the road. However, this tactic does not prevent the offsetting consequences of triple convergence.

Restrict very low-density peripheral development. Urban growth boundaries that severely constrain all far-out suburban development will not reduce future congestion much, especially in fast-growing regions. And such boundaries may drive up peripheral housing prices. But requiring at least moderate residential densities—say, 3,500 persons per square mile (4.38 units per net acre)—in new growth areas could greatly reduce peripheral driving, compared to permitting very low densities there, which tend to push growth out ever farther. In 2000, thirty-six urbanized areas had fringe area densities of 3,500 or more. Those thirty-six urbanized areas contained 18.2 percent of all persons living in all 476 U.S. urbanized areas.

Cluster high-density housing around transit stops. Such Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) would permit more residents to commute by walking to transit, thereby decreasing the number of private vehicles on the roads. However, the potential of this tactic is limited. In order to shift a significant percentage of auto commuters to transit, the number of such “transit circles” within each region would have to be very large, the density within each circle would have to be much greater than the average central city density in America’s fifty largest urbanized areas, and the percentage of workers living in the TODs who commuted by transit would have to greatly exceed the 10.5 percent average for central cities in 2000. Even so, developing many of these high-density clusters might make public transit service more feasible to many more parts of large regions.

Give regional transportation authorities more power and resources. Congress has created Metropolitan Planning Organizations to coordinate ground transportation planning over all modes in each region. If these were given more technical assistance and power, more rational systems could be created. Without much more regionally focused planning over land uses as well as transportation, few anti-congestion tactics will work effectively.

Raise gasoline taxes. Raising gas taxes would notably slow the rate of increase of all automotive travel, not just peak-hour commuting. But Congress has refused to consider it because it is politically unpopular and fought by industry lobbyists. Despite Americans’ vocal complaints about congestion, they do not want to pay much to combat it.

Peak-hour traffic congestion in almost all large and growing metropolitan regions around the world is here to stay. In fact, it is almost certain to get worse during at least the next few decades, mainly because of rising populations and wealth. This will be true no matter what public and private policies are adopted to combat congestion.

But this outcome should not be regarded as a mark of social failure or misguided policies. In fact, traffic congestion often results from economic prosperity and other types of success.

Although traffic congestion is inevitable, there are ways to slow the rate at which it intensifies. Several tactics could do that effectively, especially if used in concert, but nothing can eliminate peak-hour traffic congestion from large metropolitan regions here and around the world. Only serious economic recessions—which are hardly desirable—can even forestall an increase.

For the time being, the only relief for traffic-plagued commuters is a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a well-equipped stereo system, a hands-free telephone, and a daily commute with someone they like.

Congestion has become part of commuters’ daily leisure time, and it promises to stay that way.

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IELTS Model Example - Problem & Solutions Essay

In many cities, traffic congestion has become a significant issue, leading to numerous problems for both individuals and society as a whole. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures can be taken to alleviate traffic congestion effectively?

This is a Problems and Solutions IELTS essay question type - let's practice writing before looking at the example.

How do I plan my answer?

Here are some ideas on how to plan your answer: Introduction paragraph:

Start with a general statement about the topic of traffic congestion.

Provide some background information about the issue and its significance.

State your thesis statement, which should indicate that you will discuss the causes of traffic congestion and propose effective measures to alleviate it.

Body paragraph 1 - Causes:

Begin by introducing the main cause of traffic congestion (e.g., rapid urbanization, increasing population, inadequate infrastructure).

Explain how this cause contributes to the problem, providing specific examples and evidence.

Discuss any related factors that exacerbate the situation (e.g., lack of public transportation, poor city planning).

Conclude the paragraph by emphasizing the importance of addressing these causes to alleviate traffic congestion.

Body paragraph 2 - Solutions:

Start by introducing one effective solution to alleviate traffic congestion (e.g., improving public transportation).

Explain the benefits of implementing this solution (e.g., reduced traffic volume, decreased reliance on private vehicles).

Provide examples of cities or countries where this solution has been successful.

Discuss any potential challenges or drawbacks that may arise when implementing the solution.

Present additional solutions in separate paragraphs, following the same structure as above.

Conclusion paragraph:

Summarize the main causes of traffic congestion discussed in the essay.

Highlight the proposed solutions and their potential effectiveness.

Emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach involving multiple solutions.

Conclude by reiterating the importance of taking action to address traffic congestion for the benefit of individuals and society.

Remember to use appropriate linking words and phrases to connect your ideas and maintain coherence throughout your essay.

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Cause & Effect Essay: Traffic Problems of a Big City

Cities like New York, London, and Paris have all had to deal with thousands of cars running through their streets each day. Traffic congestion is a big problem for everyone within the city. The main reasons why traffic congestion occurs are more cars, poor road management, and poor practices on behalf of employers.

One of the main reasons why there’s more congestion is due to more cars on the road. The adult population is increasing and therefore more people want their own personal transport to get around with. As the number of cars increase the chance of congestion also increases. It’s why in smaller towns and villages congestion is almost unheard of.

This is coupled with a lack of proper infrastructure. Councils and national governments fail to act on the looming threat of heavy congestion until it happens. The city doesn’t expand along with an increasingly car reliant population. A single street with a lane on each side before might not suffice in ten years after the population has increased. Authorities often fail to convert this into a dual carriageway.

Alternate routes are also a problem. Cities have limited capacity to expand due to poor funding and planning restrictions preventing building on green belt spaces. Cities are forced to work with the routes they already have. If they can’t increase the number of lanes it leads to congestion.

Employers can also play a part in dealing with congestion. Congestion almost always happens when people are travelling to and from work. Traffic congestion has eased in recent years as a result of growing unemployment and the introduction of more flexible work hours.

By adhering to the traditional 9-5 routines, there’s a greater chance of congestion. Everyone has to travel to and from work at the same time each day.

A lack of public transport, or poor public transport options, will also cause problems. If there isn’t enough buses, trams, or local trains people are forced to take their cars to work. The ratio of passengers to vehicles decreases, whereas if they were able to take the bus people would feel less of a need to drive their cars.

In many places, commuters are forced away from public transport by the private companies which run them. Increasing fare prices, especially on the trains, make driving a car with its associated high fuel costs cheaper than public transport. By pushing people back to their cars again they only exasperate the congestion problem.

In conclusion, congestion is mainly caused by a desire for people to drive their cars coupled with a failure by local government to act. If they invested in more affordable public transport options and a better infrastructure the incidence of congestion would decrease in major cities.

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Structure your answers in logical paragraphs

The easiest way to score well on the IELTS Task 2 writing portion is to structure your writing in a solid essay format.

A strong argument essay structure can be split up into 4 paragraphs, each containing 4 sentences (except the conclusion paragraph, which only contains 3 sentences).

Stick to this essay structure:

• Paragraph 1 - Introduction
• Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
• Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

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