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On the Horizon: Green Transportation – “Tianjin Slow Circle Scheme”
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Green Transportation – Tianjin Slow Circle Scheme”

By Richard J. Cook

 

WBT201509_0049_On_the_horizon_-_San-Francisco-urban-cycli-009With any growing urban area, congestion problems are bound to follow. If you know Tianjin city center well, you will be well aware of the carnage gridlocks that take place daily between 7am – 9am and 5pm – 7pm roughly speaking. During these times, standing on Weijian Lu, Wedi Dao or Nanjing Lu will display a picturesque scene of thousands of cars, motorized scooters, electric scooters and bicycles all moving at a snails pace.


 

“Green Solution”


WBT201509_0052_On_the_horizon_highlight01Recognizing that Tianjin’s city center is culminating within this serious issue, the local government hopes to pilot a scheme that will have some significant effects on reducing the problem. The solution is to convert 7.2km squared of central Tianjin, roughly 50km of road and streets, into green lane roads dubbed the “Slow Circle Scheme” by 2020.


The goals may be far reaching if the scheme proves successful and eventually goes ahead. Multiple schemes would eventually branch outward across the city in a domino effect, increasing Tianjin’s brand as a modern green livable city.

Focusing on the specific goals, the scheme aims to target a reduction in traffic in the center of the city, whilst aiding an improvement of driving standards. Amongst this radical road shake up is the notion of non-vehicle parking zones, one way and narrow street systems for cars with the intention of slowing traffic down and deterring them from such central streets. The proposed area encompasses the Central Business District of Tianjin City Centre, more commonly referred to as the downtown area. Specifically, Nanjing Lu, Beng Bu Dao, Nanmenwai Dajie, Xi Ma Lu, Bei Ma Lu and some unspecified roads along the Haihe River area, totaling 42 roads and streets altogether. It is thought that, if successful, the project will entice more green transport methods such as car-pooling, public transportation and ultimately more walking.


“Jostling for Right of Way”



WBT201509_0050_On_the_horizon_-_Screen_Shot_2015-08-22_at_6.04.16_PMA common feeling when walking the streets of Tianjin is the dominance of the motor vehicle. Roads packed with cars and questionable standards of driving mean a great jostle consistently takes place for all who take to the roads. Thus, at the center of the scheme is the planning department and its considerations for reorganizing road space. Reports from the investigation suggest that up to 3 times more space is needed for non-motor vehicle road users.  By ratio, the road availability calculation for motor vehicles, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians is 72:10:18, meaning non-motor vehicles, such as bicycles and electric scooters, are squeezed for space. As for pedestrians sidewalk width is also an issue. 56% of sidewalk was measured as less than 2 meters wide and 78% less than 3 meters. Behind this petite pedestrian space is overshadowing demand for car parking facilities or other obstacles. In most cases, an increased number of motor vehicles correlate with the decreased size of sidewalks over the past 10 years.


“The Global Problem of Urban Congestion”


Across many of China’s teeming urban areas this scene is often repeated. Yet this side effect of modern mega urbanization is not just restricted to China, far be it, the scale is much larger in China. Many innovations are currently being piloted across the world. Across Europe, city centers also have pedestrian only streets or vehicle slow down zones. Notably are inner city areas of the UK, often you would be able to see reduced speed restrictions and narrow one way streets here. More radical formulas for reducing traffic are congestion zone charges again notable in the UK, namely London. However, in a city such as Tianjin a radical policy for congestion zone charges would prove to be extremely unpopular and difficult to implement due to road and street layout, thus making it impractical.


Many other cities in China such as Beijing and Tianjin already have strict congestion reduction procedures in place. Most notable in Tianjin would be the weekday car registration reduction laws. If you’re not familiar to this, basically each day is designated two numbers and vehicle registrations ending in these numbers cannot take to the roads on the set days.


“Coming Soon”


The development of transportation schemes in Tianjin run parallel to new infrastructure projects in the city and the municipality. Tianjin’s additional Metro Lines have been on the drawing board for years and are currently under construction. For some time now there has been delays on the vast project, to be expected considering the initial timetable set out. Metro Line 6, now expected to be completed by June 2017, made local news recently as globally acclaimed technology manufacturer Otis struck an agreement to provide escalators for the project having already worked on the Tianjin Metro system. By 2017 the Slow Circle Scheme will be a work in progress, coinciding with Metro extension plans.


Metro stops will fall into the green plans as each stop will be designated a motorbike and cycle parking. Hopefully this privately means the clean up of eye soaring bicycle piles and the implementation of proper secure non-motorized vehicle storage points.


If all goes well, in this case, both projects will correspond with one another relieving congestion misery. Yet collectively the grand picture of transportation development in Tianjin as a whole is still way off. The Slow Circle Scheme could further invigorate the scene of bicycles or eclectic scooters in use as well as walking. Furthermore, innovative projects such as this would assist calls from the central government to wage a war on pollution problems.


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