REDUCING CAR USE IN CITIES
In the last few decades, the number of cars on the roads of big cities throughout the world has increased considerably. With high levels of traffic come serious problems, such as the air pollution and the noise pollution that harm residents' health and quality of life. Moreover, after spending hours on the road, people often arrive at their workplace too tired to do their best work. Reducing the use of cars in urban centers has therefore become a major goal for city planners all over the world.(lines 1–5)
One way to achieve that goal is the use of congestion charges – fees that drivers pay when entering busy parts of the city. Another method is to create areas, such as city centers, where private cars are not allowed at all. Such measures have already been used effectively in several major cities. However, introducing them is not easy because at first they are met with strong opposition. "Some objections to these measures come from businesses worried about losing customers who arrive by car," explains sociologist Melissa Benson. "Residents object, too, because people are generally afraid of big changes. For example, car owners don't like the idea of losing their freedom to drive wherever they like."(lines 6–13)
However, residents gradually learn that they have a lot to gain. "All well-designed programs must include good alternatives to car use, such as efficient public transportation and wide bike paths for cyclists," says Kevin Rickman, a city planner in London. "Cities with congestion charges invest much of the money they receive in providing such alternatives. It is also helpful to have advertising campaigns, informing residents in advance of the beneficial results of the change – cleaner air, faster transit, and considerable noise reduction. London has used these strategies very successfully."(lines 14–20)
Cities might offer residents additional incentives to reduce car use. In Barcelona, for instance, drivers who stop using old, polluting cars get free public transport for three years. Another strategy is to make a car reduction program permanent only after giving residents several months to experience its benefits. This strategy was used successfully, for example, with a program in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2006. The trial period lasted six months. Surveys done before, during, and after that period showed that public opinion shifted sharply from opposition to support.(lines 21–26)
In general, urban planners are optimistic about the future of car reduction programs. "It's true that there's often a difficult initial period of strong opposition," says Rickman. "During this time, city planners might modify their plans according to residents' feedback. However, researchers have found no cases of programs that were completely abandoned after this period. So it seems that people eventually learn that car reduction is a very good idea."(lines 27–31)