Abstract:
MPA Consulting Engineers compiled and implemented the Transport Management Plan for the EcoMobility Festival for the City of Johannesburg. This gave transport users the opportunity to change their travel behaviour during the period of the festival and to use the existing road-space to increase travel efficiency for the majority of people (by addressing many of the environmental challenges associated with predominantly private car based travel communities). Commuters saved time through reduced private car travel during the festival, there were associated positive environmental benefits achieved and the festival provided valuable information for the city’s future planning. One of the catchphrases for the event encapsulated the spirit of the EcoMobility festival: ‘You are not in traffic, you are traffic. Change the way you move’. Many South Africans are captive to using private cars as a preferred mode of travel with many new vehicles being added to our road network each day. This trend is unsustainable. The EcoMobility World Festival in Sandton gave commuters and citizens, an opportunity to experience and preview a possible future transport system where sustainable modes of transport such as public transport, walking and cycling become the main modes of transportation choice.
Description:
Papers presented at the 36th Southern African Transport Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa on 10-13 July 2017.
