STUDIES are being conducted on ways to tackle the traffic problem, with the number of registered vehicles in Bahrain until the end of October this year reaching 750,341, which is around half the population on the island.
This was revealed yesterday by Interior Minister and Traffic Council chairman General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa who was responding in writing to a question by Shura Council member Ejlal Bubshait on reasons behind traffic congestion and bottlenecks witnessed on Bahrain’s roads.
He added that the strategies being studied focus on government policies; comprehensive planning for land and transportation; expanding and developing roads; traffic/economic/planning policies; traffic and environmental control; and smart transportation.
“Traffic congestion is not a problem unique to Bahrain which is witnessing rapid economic development, and for this private cars are being used for transportation other than public transport vehicles,” said Gen Shaikh Rashid.
“The kingdom is also a destination and centre for many international commercial, banking, sporting, recreational and tourist activities and programmes, with all of this attracting a lot of tourists and visitors.”
The minister said the reasons behind huge traffic jams are varied, depending on situations.
“It could be an emergency, like accidents, rain or just bad weather that impedes traffic flow.
“Or the issue could be the presence of vital services sector within cities or clustered in one area.
“It could also be a rapid increase in the number of vehicles using the roads network or the fact that some roads’ capacity does not match the flow.”
Gen Shaikh Rashid said the Traffic Council has been assigned to work on a strategy to build, expand and organise roads and traffic flow across the country.
“The council has also looked into a special prototype project for land use, road networks and transportation to help with strategic planning decisions while finding alternatives as we build traffic projections until 2055.”
He asserted that solutions and strategies take time for implementation. Until then quick and instantaneous solutions were being resorted to, he added.
“This involves adjusting truck movement on roads during peak hours, following up on urgent road development works such as the Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah/Shaikh Salman Bin Ahmed Al Fateh Junction and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway (road six) to Wali Al Ahd Highway, amongst others.”
He added funds have been allocated to speed up road works to match urban development.
“Smart systems for traffic violations whether outside schools, roads, highways or particular locations have been introduced.
“Traffic congestion near schools is attributed to the small size of the roads leading or surrounding educational establishments or improper parking by parents and we are working to ease the flow.”
Bahrain’s population in August this year was 1,577,059, according to the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma said that a four-year information technology and artificial intelligence schools’ strategy has been introduced this year.
“We have seen 33 government and private schools certified by Microsoft for implementation and use of high-tech,” he said in response to a question by Parliament first deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman on future educational shifts from conventional to modern.
“The Higher Education Council has also implemented several initiatives as part of its 10-year plan which ends next year and there are plans to introduce more advanced targets.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))