The government’s own Transport Master Plan published in 2016 claims that the studies made during the consultation process, had identified that there exists a deep-rooted car-oriented culture and transport system characterised by the general lack of accessible space provided for other alternative modes such as walking, cycling and public transport.
Malta has high car dependency rates and low car occupancy rates. The same reports identify steady and continuous economic growth and, in turn, increasing levels of disposable income leading to a potential rise in car ownership resulting in road traffic congestion. The increase in cultural car dependency is directly influencing levels of traffic congestion on the road.
In another section of the same document, it is clearly stated that construction and reconstruction of road infrastructure requires significant coordination between Transport Malta, Local Councils and service utility entities for electricity, water, drainage and communications, and agencies responsible for preservation of heritage.
The Master plan states that at present, there is a general shortage of qualified and experienced transport planners, road engineers and professionals specialising in traffic management and traffic signal control in both the public and private sectors.
For the congestion mitigation potential of public transport to be realised, travellers must feel that the extent and quality of service provided are sufficient for them to stop using their cars for certain trips – especially those made in peak periods.
Traffic model forecasts highlight that by 2025, average bus speeds will reduce to 13km/h during peak hours unless there are transport policy changes. In critical parts of the road network, traffic is expected to grow by five to six per cent during peak hours over the next 10 years in a scenario with no further investment in road infrastructure, no further policies to discourage peak hour travel by car and no further implementation of bus priority measures
With more parents opting to take children to school by car for reasons of cost or convenience and a larger number of employees using their car to go to work rather than the alternative collective transport organised by their employers, the positive impact that unscheduled public transport once had on peak hour congestion is becoming less and less significant.
The document further states that preliminary, pre-feasibility studies that have been carried out in recent years assess the potential for introducing a Busway system and a Light Rapid Transport system. This measure aims to continue the optional analysis as part of a more detailed technical, financial and economic feasibility study which will identify possible MRT (mass rapid transit) alignments, clear costings and explore potential sources of financing. The outcome of the studies will be a detailed proposal which will be presented for public consultation.
In terms of underground tunnels, the document outlines that the displacement of through traffic to underground tunnels, where technically feasible, could lead to reduced surface level traffic in urban areas. Supported by embellishment and upgrade of the surface level in favour of pedestrians and cyclists could improve the public realm and the environment.
Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can lead to annoyance, stress and sleep disturbance which can cause physiological responses resulting in heart disease, high blood pressure and mental illness. A significant proportion of Malta’s population are exposed to harmful annual average noise levels (beyond 55 dB during the day, evening and night).
Children suffer some of the most adverse effects of noise (disruption of hearing, learning and understanding), particularly when schools are located near busy roads.
The level of noise on roads varies according to traffic volumes, traffic composition, streetscape, and the degree to which noise is mitigated through road infrastructure technology; as well as weather conditions.
This is just the tip of the iceberg contained in a voluminous document published by the Government in 2016. As the central link project becomes more and more the topic of the day discussed, one must surely realise that there is a great discrepancy between the transport reform document master plan and the actual present strategy of widening roads and taking up of ODZ agricultural land.
The recent articles related to the uprooting of the iconic Rabat Road kerbside trees was an eye-opener for many, but the main issue of the whole exercise seems to be overshadowed by this side effect.
The real issue is that a central link project costing €55 million will do absolutely nothing to provide a medium and long-term traffic management solution, as the document itself states. There must be other viable alternatives which need to be considered that will serve not only the present generation but also future ones.
Obliterating pristine agricultural land, exposing citizens to even more traffic and culling of trees is a futile exercise which will only affect adversely the environment, the families in direct line of fire, farmers and national heritage.
In the coming weeks, the Attard Residents Environmental Network (A.R.E.N) will be proposing a number of viable alternatives which actively address the present traffic congestion in the Attard area in the immediate term and which can be carried out on a test basis and on a permanent one. We will be offering strategic traffic management solutions that will see the residents of Attard benefit enormously from a reduction in traffic congestion and peace of mind for the people preferring to use their private car. The same proposals will be presented as preparation for the potential introduction of alternative modes of transport. We are hoping that when we present these proposals, the general public will join our network to help us build on our ideas and make the national transport system truly a national system by involving directly those most affected by the present situation.
We are therefore inviting all those who wish to contribute their ideas to join us on our Facebook Page and help us build a better future for our children and ourselves.
Attard Residents Environment Network