Perceptions of the factors causing traffic congestion and plausible measures to alleviate the challenge in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Abstract

Sustainable road transportation and sustainable development are interlinked and influence the success of each other. In this context road, traffic congestion on the roads of cities of South Africa remains a challenge for their sustainable development. Despite various attempts to mitigate congestion, some of the cities are still facing the challenge enormously, which keeps on increasing. Therefore, this study examined the parameters, which engender traffic congestion and whether use of ICT can alleviate the challenge in the cities of South Africa. The study was conducted by using a survey research method and using Bloemfontein city of South Africa as a case study and case analyses from different cities of South Africa. It is revealed that traffic congestion and delay are the major road transportation challenges in the Bloemfontein city that are engendered by the use of large-scale private vehicles. Availability of accessible and cost effective public transportation system may not able to solve the problem alone. People perceive that use of ICT in travel and socio-economic activity needs can be a major factor, which can reduce traffic congestion and engender sustainable road transportation in the city