Approaches for Reducing Urban Traffic Congestion in the City of Harare

Abstract

Traffic congestion is a major challenge in the city of Harare, especially in the central business district (CBD) resulting in massive delays, a decrease in productivity and an increase in environmental pollution. Therefore, the study sought to assess the management of traffic congestion in Harare urban. The study employed an exploratory design to sample 315 respondents through the administration of questionnaires. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven officials of management institutions in Harare. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS v 21 whereas the qualitative data was manually analysed. The study revealed that massive influx of motor vehicles in the city, bad attitude of drivers (especially commuter omnibus and tax drivers), poor or no urban transport policy framework, vendors all over the traffic ways; massive pedestrians population in the CBD and Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) were the main causes of traffic congestion. The effects of traffic congestion are decreasing sales, higher transport costs, pollution, decreased productivity and stress to motorists as a result of longer travelling time. The study recommends implementation of mass transit system in transporting public within the CBD, public education, strict enforcement of road traffic regulations, construction of proper vendor selling points in the CBD, provision of adequate parking spaces to help manage traffic congestion in Harare CBD as well as implementation of smart urban transportation and mobility technologies.