|
|
|
|
There are many similarities between the UAE and Florida - the Sunshine State - not least the weather. Enduring a few weeks or months in either place is a good way to prepare for time in the other. Rapid growth is also another characteristic of both places and traffic jams are on the rise.
Rapid growth means traffic congestion in anyone's language. And, where we may complain about the time it takes us to make a short journey, Floridians complain about making the longer journeys. What it all boils down to for the powers that be is planning. Commuting is a relatively new word in the UAE lexicon; we have been spoiled to a point beyond belief for most newcomers to understand. Talk of driving two and three or even more hours on a round trip for work is commonplace for established regions and cities or those undergoing growth spurts. We complain at a journey over thirty minutes.
There is no doubt that traffic is getting heavier in the UAE, no pain no gain, one could say. And, up until now, the transport authorities have been good at retrofitting the highways and byways but that is an expensive way of doing things as the Tampa Bay Transport Authorities have been finding. They are now endeavouring to be proactive instead of reactive. Robert M Clifford, a planning and development manager said, in the St Petersburg Times, "We can't keep building lanes."
Forecasts predict that the Florida Department of Transportation's Region 7, which includes the Tampa Bay area, will see its population double in the next forty years. To get ahead of the curve and the crowds, state transportation officials are trying to figure out where people are going to be in 2050 and their busiest travel plans. They want to stop retrofitting after the traffic becomes untenable. It?s a bold ambition and easier said than done.
"We want transit to stay ahead of the growth, or at least simultaneous with it," Clifford said. "It's an expensive vision, but it's not as expensive as coming back and rebuilding after the fact." Looking at computer models there are not that many surprises apparently and as long as Clifford and his colleagues are aware of where the main developments are going to be it is relatively easy to work out the flows. The difficulty comes when an avenue reaches capacity and no more lanes can be added.
"The exact routes and the type of transportation to be developed for each has to be decided," said Clifford. "It could be roads, rail or bus. Nothing is off the table." Does this sound familiar? The main differences from a UAE resident's standpoint might be that in Florida the mass transit options are way ahead in Florida and far more user friendly. This makes a huge difference. All social strata use trains and buses because they are reliable, clean and inexpensive. A relaxed attitude to business dress is a perceived difference too.
There is probably much to learn for both regions, the UAE and Florida, but the growth in population and traffic is not going to go away so bold initiatives are going to continue to be needed. And finally... The Tampa based Milne family, descendents of AA Milne, the Winnie the Pooh author, have tried to recapture control of the copyright for stories featuring the popular children's character. Claire Milne sought to use a 1976 copyright law to terminate prior licensing agreements to no avail. Pooh retail sales were at $5.3 billion in 2004. With that amount of money involved the lawsuits will probably show as often as the movies.
Via 7 Days
Related Stories:
Construction industry's frantic pace 'unhealthy'
How Dubai's dodgy estate agents work...
UAE's small developers can't survive cut-throat market
UAE tops real estate survey
Abu Dhabi Real Estate Boom
Dubai Property Law to be investor friendly
Will property pre-sales last?
|
|
|
|
|
| Most Viewed in Last 30 Days |
| Syndication |
|
|
|
|
