Description:
Ln the large aties of the developing world, travel times are generaliy
high and increasing, destinations accessible within limited time are
decreasing. The average oneway commute in Rio de Janeiro is 90 minutes. In
Bogota it is 60 minutes. The average vehicle speed in Manila is 7 miles per
hour. The average car in Bangkok is stationary in trtilc for the equivalent of
44 &ys a year.
This is happening because vehicle registrations are growing fast on the
basis of increased populations, increased wealth, increased cornmeraal
penetration, and probably an increasingly persuasive picture in the
developing world of international lifestyle in which a car is an essential
elemenL Accordingly, in much of the developing world the number of motor
vehicles is increasing at more than 10 percent a year-the number of vehicles
doubling in 7 years. The countries include China (1S percent), Chile, Mexico,
Kor~ Thaiku@ Costa Rica, Syria Taiwan, and many more.
What is the shape of increasing congestion and declining mobility?
There are no widespread measures available for comparative purposes because
decline in mobility is complicated. Congestion is always localized in time and
space. A few things are nonetheless evident.