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A large part of the “dialog” community does not see road expansion as a solution to the traffic jam problem. Rather, traffic needs to be reduced.
A record was not broken this year, but despite traffic management and bad weather in Ticino, the almost “traditional” metal avalanche accumulated up to 13 kilometers on the Easter weekend. Although that is still six kilometers below last year’s record, it still resulted in a waiting time of around two hours.
Between looking for Easter eggs – or perhaps while waiting in traffic jams – there was a lively discussion on the SRG platform “dialog” about the question of which remedy could better help against the long queues of cars: expanding the road network or reducing traffic ? And the community agreed: a (non-representative) majority of 79 percent were of the opinion that only a reduction in traffic would help against congestion on the streets.
Every new infrastructure creates a pull that motivates new road users to use the road.
For example, user Nataniel Mendoza: “Every new infrastructure creates a pull that motivates new road users to use the road. When users realize that there is a new solution, they make their decision based on it.”
“Logographe Imperturable” from the “dialog” community also agrees: “A reduction in traffic volume would only have a positive impact on the environment and public health. It is an illusion to believe that highways can be ‘expanded’ forever, and there are several ways to limit the impact on the economy and mobility.”
“Traffic reduction simply cannot be implemented”
The user “Discoureur Curieux”, on the other hand, has a diametrically opposed opinion: “Apart from that, the cliché of all clichés: ‘Let’s reduce traffic and expand public transport’ is simply not feasible. The population is growing rapidly, the need for mobility is increasing proportionately, the trains are overcrowded at peak times, the rail network is overloaded, but is being spectacularly improved on a regular basis,” referring to the SBB’s plans aim for quarter-hourly intervals by 2050.
“Chronicler Verzaubert” from the “dialog” community also agrees with this: “Increasing traffic on the roads leads to traffic jams, longer journey times and increased environmental pollution. Expanding highways can add more lanes and eliminate bottlenecks, resulting in more efficient traffic flow and shorter travel times.”
To move people and goods, road transport is deeply rooted in the structure of the territory and society
But here user “Contributrice Précise” counters: “To move people and goods, road transport is deeply rooted in the structure of the territory and society, but is extremely inefficient and resource-intensive. It has been proven that improving road availability creates additional demand, which ultimately clogs up the infrastructure again.”
Fortunately, this year the traffic jam management and the bad weather resulted in less traffic on the Gotthard. According to the Federal Roads Office, both tubes will be opened from 2033. How the traffic situation will develop can only be answered by looking into the crystal ball.