[Greens-Media] Motorways induce traffic, not reduce travel time

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media release - 17 September 2007

Motorways induce traffic, not reduce travel time 

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called for no more motorways to be built in Sydney and urged transport planners not to be influenced by the NRMA survey comparing motorway travel time with other road routes (Sydney Morning Herald, page 1). 

"Just because people sometimes have a faster car trip on a motorway compared with near by roads is no justification for building more motorways in Sydney", Ms Rhiannon said.

"The NRMA survey is misleading as it does not consider the role that motorways play in encouraging more cars onto the road.

"Public transport users and motorists would benefit from improved public transport. This is the way to reduce travel time for all commuters. 

"More commuters using public transport means those people who still need to use private vehicles will not be battling heavy congestion on a daily basis. 

"Motorways encourage people to use their vehicles more frequently. This 'induced traffic' phenomenon results in motorways quickly reaching their capacity. 

"This has been witnessed on Sydney's M5 which is not much better than a parking lot in most morning and evening peak travel periods. 

"Reducing car use and expanding public transport services is the way to restore equity and protect the environment.

"Instead of building more motorways we can quickly attract people to public transport by extending concessions, upgrading rail and bus services across Sydney, particularly in western suburbs, and allowing bikes to travel free on all public transport.

"All the motorway extensions - F3, F6, M4, M5 - and tunnel projects should be scrapped", Ms Rhiannon said.

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