Management Strategies of the Traffic Problem in Glasgow Flashcards
Explain M74- M8 Interchange
A controversial scheme to extend the M74 into and through Glasgow was announced in 2003 at a cost of £500 million.
The 8km new road links the M74 to the M8.
Advantages of the M74- M8 Interchange
Has reduced traffic flow in the city centre by about 21000 vehicles per day.
Reductions of up to 5500 per day (30%) on local roads.
Disadvantages of the M74- M8 Interchange
It directly contradicts the Scottish Government’s aim to cut and reduce carbon emissions.
Explain Renovation and Improvement of Glasgow’s Rail Network
The railway network has been modernised to encourage people to use this form of public transport over using their cars. This included:
- Electrification of 50km of
railway between
Cumbernauld and
Glasgow.
- The renovation of Queen
Street Station (estimated
cost £104 million) and
Glasgow Central Station.
Advantages of Renovation and improvement of Glasgow’s Rail Network
Electrification improves the overall quality and frequency of service to the area.
Updated trains are more comfortable and include Wi-Fi and as such the customer experience has been improved.
Disadvantages of Renovation and improvement of Glasgow’s Rail Network
Constant stops at different stations can slow journey times.
Train station may be far from commuters final destination.
Abellio, the owners of Scotrail, have run into significant problems with new timetables and delays and cancellations have become commonplace.
Explain the Subway Modernisation Programme
Glasgow has the third oldest underground railway in the world – it urgently needed modernisation.
SPT, supported by the Scottish government, invested £300 million to:
-Implement a new “smart
card” system
-Refurbish stations
-Make tunnel
improvements
Advantages of the Subway Modernisation Programme
Smart cards speed up the use of trains and reduce waste- making the system more sustainable.
Disadvantages of the Subway Modernisation Programme
Expensive project.
Stops can slow journey times.
Train stations may be far from commuter’s final destination.
Explain the Clyde Arc
The Clyde Arc bridge was officially opened in 2006 at a cost of £20million.
Bottlenecks of traffic built up at existing bridges – the Clyde Arc has eased traffic flow entering the city as it is further downstream .
Advantages of the Clyde Arc
This has improved traffic flow and accessibility.
The new bridge provides strategic access to the Pacific Quay area, and is already a strong catalyst for redevelopment of this once derelict part of the city.
Explain Bus Lanes
Bus lanes have been introduced in busy areas such as West George St. around George Square.
This is a lane only for the use of busses and therefore makes bus travel faster and more reliable.
Therefore using a bus is more appealing to people reducing the number of cars on the road.
Advantages of Bus Lanes
Motorists can be fined for improper use of the bus lanes and this earns the council income to spend on other public services.
Disadvantages of Bus Lanes
Public outcry as it is claimed bus lanes move cars onto other lanes which can increase congestion.
Public view it as a moneymaking scheme. One bus lane in Nelson Mandela Place earned the council £800 000 in only two months through fines.
People complain signs aren’t always visible and so they are fined unfairly.
Explain One Way Streets
One way systems have been introduced to help improve traffic flow in the CBD e.g. Bath Street.
These are roads in which traffic are only allowed to travel in one direction which typically result in more efficient traffic flow as drivers avoid encountering oncoming traffic.
