By Zik
Traffic management in some parts of Penang has descended into chaos and unbridled apathy.
The city council seems bent on executing perfunctory ad hoc plans that are, at best, knee-jerk responses. Even if the administered remedy is worse than the affliction, the issue is deemed closed and nothing further is done.
A case in point: traffic congestion on main roads near quiet local neighbourhoods.
- Congestion along main roads causes motorists to use alternative smaller roads through residential neighbourhoods. These roads were planned for and only adequate for the neighbourhoods they serve
- Residents complain about congestion within neighbourhood roads, typically during morning school hours and evening rush hour
- The city council then turns certain neighbourhood roads into one-way streets
- The traffic volume and velocity increases, but now residents have to make longer, roundabout trips to get home
- Residents complain about the danger from traffic speeding along converted one-way streets
- The council brilliantly puts up speed humps
The real problem – congestion along main roads – is not resolved, but attempts at resolution cause problems for previously quiet neighbourhoods. And nothing is done to undo the chaos wrought unto affected neighbourhoods
Residents are thus forced to suffer due to poor traffic management along main roads, while local council actions seem to prioritise transient traffic over the needs of those living in affected neighbourhoods.
The situation has reached a point where residents are discouraged from complaining, as the proposed remedies seem worse than the original problems.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
This cycle of ineffective solutions and worsening conditions highlight the urgent need for a more thoughtful, resident-focused approach to traffic management in Penang.
Perhaps the council should first genuinely engage with the actual users – the residents living in the vicinity – who will be affected by its plans.
Zik is a reader of Aliran.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
