Problem Investigation

[kylab...@gmail.com]

1) What are the most important features of the problem you have been
investigating? (150 words)

Congestion is the root cause of many of the environmental and economic
efficiency issues facing Vancouver's citizens. The large volume of
single occupancy vehicles causes commuters to spend more time on the
road, and slows the flow of traffic. Idling vehicles are another
important feature of the congestion issue, as they increase
emissions. These problems are exacerbated by low use of driving
alternatives. This is partly caused by a lack of knowledge within the
general public of those alternatives, as well as inefficiencies within
the transit system. Therefore over-exploitation of major traffic
routes, inadequate usage of driving alternatives, and weaknesses of
the transit system are all important features of the problem of
congestion within the Vancouver downtown core.

[e....@hotmail.com]

3) Identify the physical and life sciences and social science and
humanities knowledge needed to understand the problem and respond to
it. What do individuals seeking to address this problem need to know?
What technical and managerial skills are required? What kind of
education background is required of people addressing this problem?
(200 words)

The physical and life sciences knowledge required to understand the
problem of idling cars and automobile congestion with respect to
Vancouver involves the statistics for Greenhouse gas emissions for
idling cars in Vancouver. In addition, knowledge on how GHG emissions
from idling cars affects Vancouver's ecosystem (including air quality
and natural resources) as well as on human health is extremely
important. The social science and humanities information needed to
address the issue at hand includes the effects of traffic congestion
on the lifestyle of daily commuters as well as a broad range of
alternate commute options for Vancouverites. The technical and
managerial skills required for an individual working on this problem
includes the ability to measure the impact of idling cars in terms of
both GHG emissions and commuter lifestyle. The ability to research
traffic control systems in other cities and how effective those
techniques would be available in Vancouver would also be needed. The
Principle investigator of the project should have a PhD and experience
working with traffic systems. Other people involved in the project
should have backgrounds in statistics, accounting, environmental
sciences, physical life science, economics, marketing, political
science experts or engineering.

[Krista Isberg]

2) What are the challenges and obstacles facing efforts to address the

problem you have been investigating? (150 words)

There are several known obstacles which may impede the implementation
of our project. Canadians are reluctant to give up the privacy of
their own vehicles, however, by adjusting the public mentality of ride
sharing this impediment can be overcome. By a well placed
advertisement campaign we can alter public opinion by exploiting the
benefits of carpooling and GHG emission reduction. In this commercial
campaign, public transit options must be presented as a viable option
for the average citizen. There is also strong public opposition to
paying tolls. However, research shows that when there is transparency
about where toll revenues are directed, the public is less offended by
the prospect. ***FOOTNOTE!*** By educating the public on the
redistribution of collected toll funds to Translink we are confident
that public opposition would change. Furthermore, the purpose of the
toll is to motivate people to use other forms of transportation. It is
precisely the opposition to the toll which makes it effective.
Finally, an initial investment from the government will be necessary
to implement this plan, however, after the primary venture is
established the program will pay for the initial cost of
establishment, and create revenues which can be used to support public
transit initiatives later on.