Managing Traffic Congestion in Seoul: The Importance of Timing
- A Discussion on Traffic in Seoul: Part 2
It's not just about the roads; it's about the 'moments.'
When discussing traffic congestion in Seoul, we often think about the width of the roads or the number of cars.
However, in reality, congestion usually begins before the entire road is saturated.
More precisely, it occurs when a single decision or placement made in a very short time blocks the subsequent signals or flows.
In other words, congestion is less about space and more about how moments connect.
The following examples illustrate how effectively managing these 'moments' can significantly reduce the perceived congestion.
1. The moment when vehicles stop before fully crossing an intersection.
Observation location and time: Yeouido Park, Yeoui-ro to Uisadang-daero, Weekdays 18:00-18:30
Problematic moment: A vehicle or two entering the intersection at the end of the signal blocks the entire next signal.
Improvement ideas: Implement a signal that prevents entry into the intersection at the end of the green light (early red light transition); guide the number of vehicles that can pass through the intersection during rush hour; automatically delay the next signal in case of congestion within the intersection.
2. The moment when vehicles waiting to turn left encroach upon the straight flow.
Observation location and time: Jamsil Station intersection, Olympic Boulevard entrance, Weekdays 08:00-08:40
Problematic moment: The queue of vehicles waiting to turn left disrupts the entire flow.
Improvement ideas: Operate variable left-turn lanes based on time; physically block left turns from straight lanes during peak demand times; fine-tune the left-turn signal cycle based on the time of day.
3. The moment when bus stops disrupt the flow.
Observation location and time: Near Sinchon Rotary, Weekdays 17:30-18:30
Problematic moment: A bus stops → vehicles behind stop → loss of signal at the intersection.
Improvement ideas: Move bus stops just before intersections to after intersections; separate bus stops for long boarding and alighting times; allow right-turning vehicles to pass through bus stops during specific times.
4. The moment of repeated illegal parking during peak hours.
Observation location and time: Commercial alleys in Yeonnam-dong and Seongsu-dong, during lunch and dinner hours.
Problematic moment: Short stops continuously erase one lane.
Improvement ideas: Designate short-term parking zones for stops within 5 minutes based on time; temporarily allow roadside parking during peak delivery hours; prioritize space reallocation over enforcement in areas of repeated congestion.
5. The moment when lane changes cluster together.
Observation location and time: Entrance to Olympic Boulevard towards Jamsil, Weekdays 07:30-08:30
Problematic moment: It's not speed but the simultaneous choice of lanes that causes issues.
Improvement ideas: Provide earlier guidance on lane roles before intersections; expand physical lane change restrictions in areas with frequent lane changes; distribute change timings through speed adjustments at entry points.
In summary, traffic congestion in Seoul arises not from a lack of roads but from overlapping choices made in short moments, which subsequently block the following flows.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/mon-mor-q-back/224160721742
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