Spillover Effect Details
- Policy
-
Swiss Roads Initiative
- Alternative
-
Implement Smart Traffic Management Systems (STMS)
- Dimension
- Infrastructure
- Criteria
-
- Time Frame
- 0
- Score
-
- PositiveImpact
- The Smart Traffic Management System (STMS) can lead to improved traffic flow, which could result in reduced wear and tear on the existing infrastructure, thus decreasing future maintenance costs. With better traffic management, emergency response times could improve, delivering timely assistance and protecting lives. STMS could also enhance user experience, leading to increased commuter satisfaction and a potential shift towards more sustainable transport modes, contributing to long-term environmental benefits.
- NegativeImpact
- While STMS may optimize traffic flow temporarily, it does not address the underlying issue of increased traffic volumes on the A1 motorway, which will continue to rise with population growth and urbanization. This can lead to overreliance on technology rather than developing sustainable long-term solutions. Moreover, implementation costs may divert funds from other integral infrastructure projects, potentially worsening the overall infrastructure state. Additionally, if the system fails or underperforms, it could result in further congestion problems without a physical expansion, leading to accumulating costs.
- Description
- The current alternative of implementing Smart Traffic Management Systems (STMS) is assessed as a 'bad' option for future generations mainly due to its inability to address the fundamental issue of traffic congestion in a sustainable manner. Although it provides short-term benefits like reduced congestion and improved traffic flow, the long-term maintenance implications and sustainability concerns overshadow these benefits. Compared to alternatives such as Integrated Public Transport Enhancement or Dynamic Toll Pricing, STMS does not contribute significantly towards improving the overall transportation balance and infrastructure health required for future growth. This alternative potentially creates debt for future generations by failing to resolve the core issues of congestion and transport sustainability.