While the odd-even scheme of the Delhi Government has got a promising response so far, experts feel that enforcing a single type of measure may not reduce the negative effects of the car use. In order to achieve real sustainable transport while ensuring good health for the society, various solutions need to be implemented.
Among other measures, shifting to a more efficient transport system that include non-motorised transport like walking and cycling, aided by an effective public transport such as buses, BRT (bus rapid transport), Metro rail, etc are more substantial and long-term measures, say experts.
The “fundamental strategy for reducing car use” is to improve public transport and incentivise use of non-motorised modes for attracting travel to these transport modes, recommends a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM).
“Improve the performance of motorised transport, primarily that of private cars, but also that of public transport, to reduce negative externalities. While private cars will obviously not disappear or be phased out, they should be made to inflict the least possible damage on society by incorporating the best technologies and designs available to that end,” it further recommends.
Apart from that, even if the formula to ration private vehicle use is to be implemented, it can be used along with other measures. And if there are other measures to aid car rationing, the extent of car rationing can be relaxed to ensure that the public is also not inconvenienced to a large extent. A more relaxed car rationing system can also come handy if the public transport system is not adequate: a formula that rules out a given percentage of cars, as per requirement of that time.
One such formula could be to prohibit vehicles whose last digit matches with the date. That means a vehicle having ‘1’ as the last digit will be prohibited not on 15 days of a month but only on three to four days: 1st, 11th and 21st (and 31st in some cases). Aided by other measures, even a ten per cent reduction in number of vehicles every day achieved by this formula can be quite effective.
Another alternative is congestion charging as was implemented in london in 2003. Under this scheme, a “congestion charge” can be imposed on a vehicle entering a certain congested area (maybe a crowded market, central business district etc.) during peak hours. In london, this scheme resulted in reduction in traffic by 30 per cent between 2003 and 2007. The amount collected as congestion charge can be used to improve public transport.
Incentivising car sharing is another way to achieve reduction in car use. Reserving lanes on the roads for vehicles carrying at least two or three persons can be a good way to promote this.
While the idea to restrict number of cars is a good beginning as long as it is voluntary and not forced, the Government also needs to take measures to control pollution originating from other sources like construction dust, burning in public and controlling pollution emanating from commercial diesel vehicles.