Citation

Kuang Y, Yen BTH, Suprun E, Sahin O. J. Environ. Manage. 2019; 237: 379-386.

Affiliation

School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, QLD, Australia; Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, QLD, Australia; Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University, QLD, Australia; Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith University, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: o.sahin@griffith.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.02.087

PMID

30818240

Abstract

Transport infrastructural strain is a pressuring issue for the urbanised world due to the increasing demand for public transport. Transport operators, planners and policymakers are constantly searching for low-cost solutions to such transport issues. Therefore, it is critical to developing an environmentally sustainable and economically viable efficient traffic network to relieve traffic pressure (i.e., traffic congestion, transport infrastructure investment needs). The objective of this research is to propose a "Soft Traffic Management (STM)" concept to proactively analyse the traffic impact of transport planning strategy before implementation. This study investigates the effectiveness of a STM for easing the traffic pressure by carrying out a pilot research project on the proposed South East Busway extension in Logan City, Australia, by employing a stepwise process consisting of a multi-stage analysis and stakeholder-based modelling approach. The results indicate that the extended busway can significantly relieve traffic congestion. In addition, the proposed strategy has significantly positive impacts on the environment since it aims to reduce air pollution and fuel consumption as well as to improve the safety and efficiency of the whole transport system. This study confirms the effects of STM on improving the use of existing infrastructure more efficiently and deferring future transport infrastructure investments.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Soft traffic management; Traffic congestion; Transport planning; Visum