Road infrastructure has been the lifeblood of the economy since antiquity. Therefore, it is understandable that the public is often in favor of roads and motorways rather than public transport. In my view, while this idea is valid to a certain extent, mass-transit systems should be the top priority to ensure sustainable development.
Granted, it is reasonable to argue that efficient road infrastructure creates a boost to the economy. A well-developed road and expressway system could facilitate traffic flow, enabling lorries to make on-time deliveries and reduce the risk of congestion. It is suggested that traffic jams incur billion-dollar losses on the economy due to shipping delays and fuel expenses from standby time on the road. Such bottlenecks should be removed with the completion of an extensive nationwide road network.
However, prioritizing roads could be counterproductive as it promotes the use of private vehicles, the primary cause of traffic congestion. Most residents already find these vehicles much more convenient as they offer door-to-door travel; and if road infrastructure is the focus of investments, they will likely opt for cars and motorcycles for work and study. This reliance could cause a burgeoning of private vehicles on the road, leading to a surge in traffic density and inevitably ensuing gridlock, especially in the densely populated urban cores. In summary, investing more in roads may practically create more bottlenecks rather than removing them.
In my view, public transport should be the focal point on the agenda of the government as a more sustainable long-term solution. These systems, such as the mass rail transit (MRT), the bus rapid transit (BRT) and light rail could offer residents more efficient options for travel instead of our sole dependence on road infrastructure. To illustrate, the dedicated routes and lanes of such transport methods allow shorter journey times, which could prove a competitive option for passengers. If executed wisely on a regionwide scale, these systems could significantly reduce pressure on road infrastructure and indirectly facilitate the flow of goods, as it is less interrupted by that of commuters.
To conclude, while it is seemingly valid to favor road infrastructure rather than public transport owing to its economic implications, a road-reliant transport system is more prone to gridlock, thus potentially creating even more congestion and eliminating its merits. Meanwhile, an efficient public transport system allows a seamless flow of traffic on a mass scale, which plays a key role in ensuring our long-term economic prospects.
