Managing traffic congestion in Gaborone: prophylactic treatment or an application of palliative measures?

Abstract

Paper presented at the 30th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 11-14 July 2011 "Africa on the Move", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.For many countries around the globe, economic development seems to have contributed to increases in levels of private car ownership. This has induced traffic-related problems such as road congestion particularly in developing countries. This paper discusses the current problems and measures aimed at mitigating the effects of traffic congestion such as road expansion and improvement in public transport servlces in Gaborone, and their associated constraints and opportunities. The daily traffic congestion, mainly in Botswana's capital of Gaborone, is perhaps a harbinger of chaos to come, unless robust measures are undertaken. The paper is primarily based on the review and analysis of secondary information. It recommends that Transportation Management System measures such as aggressive promotion of public transport, road pricing, paid parking across the city and the overhaul of associated Infrastructure be considered In order to mitigate the congestion problem.