May 22, 2013 (Unit: Changing Urban Places) Lesson on : Traffic Congestion Learning:

1. May 22, 2013 (Unit: Changing Urban Places) Lesson on: Traffic Congestion Learning: • To describe the problem of traffic congestion in cities. Glossary • Congestion – Build up of traffic on the road that is moving very slowly.Lots of vehicles on the road moving very slowly.. Dwight Sutherland 2012

2. Starter TASK: Use the image and keywords below to write your own definition of traffic congestion. • Keywords • Slow moving • Bumper to bumper • Stand still • Build up Dwight Sutherland 2012

3. What is the cause of congestion in cities? • Some causes of congestion • Small roads not built for car usage • Increase in car ownership • Poor layout of roads • Cities growing and having more people • Factories and businesses setting up in cities. • Lots of traffic lights • More people live in suburbs but work in cities Model Answer Many of our roads were built when less cars were on the roads. As a result roads are small and narrow not suited for large numbers of cars today. For example central London. Dwight Sutherland 2012

4. Think task: Identify a reason for traffic congestion that is: • Economic (to do with money, cost, income, businesses etc) • Social (to do with people’s lifestyle) • Planning (to do with a city’s layout or organisation) Dwight Sutherland 2012

5. TASK: In groups of two (2) discuss (and explain in your books) how traffic congestion affects each of the following: Places and people affected by congestion • Businesses & Industries in cities • Workers in cities • Students in cities • Lorry drivers • The police or other emergency services • Traffic wardens • The environment • Residents of cities • The Local Council of cities Model Answer: Congestion affects lorry drivers because they can’t meet their delivery schedule which cost them money. Congestion affects lorry drivers because when they are in traffic they use more petrol which cost them money. Dwight Sutherland 2012

6. Possible solutions to traffic congestion: Pedestrian zones, cycling & cycle paths, congestion zones, traffic lights, park & ride schemes, ticketing, building bypass roads, widening roads etc. TASK: Design a city street. Annotate your sketch explaining some solutions to traffic problems. Say how they will help. Dwight Sutherland 2012

7. Lesson summary TASK: Summarise your learning on traffic congestion. • Traffic congestion is … • Traffic congestion is mainly caused by … • Traffic congestion hurt cities by … • Traffic congestion can be lessened by … Dwight Sutherland 2012