Professor says Hobart has a car-dependence problem, not a congestion problem

Hobart doesn’t have a traffic congestion problem, says a leading university professor.

Heavy afternoon traffic in Macquarie Street, Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

HOBART doesn’t have a traffic congestion problem, rather a car-dependence problem, says a leading university professor.

University of Tasmania geography and spatial sciences professor Jason Byrne said the state’s capital faces a mobility problem where many households endure “transport inequality”.

“The real issue is for many Hobart residents there simply is no viable alternative to using their car to get where they want to go,” he said.

“For people living on the outskirts of the city, where public transport services are few and far between, this situation is highly unfair.”

A Mercury survey reported this week revealed motorists overwhelmingly believe Hobart’s traffic is getting worse and that not enough is being done to fix it.

More than 90 per cent of responses in the Future Tassie survey think more should be done to reduce traffic jams and almost 87 per cent thought congestion had worsened in the past 12 months.

BIKES, FERRIES, TRAINS, CARS IN TRAFFIC SOLUTION

Prof Byrne said Hobart’s current road system was more than capable of servicing the existing population and projected population growth during off peak times.

University of Tasmania geography and spatial sciences professor Jason Byrne. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Only 23 per cent of respondents said building more roads was very important, compared to 41 per cent who thought establishing peak hour clearways was very important.

“The solutions to the peak hour congestion can be found in giving people alternatives to cars,” Prof Byrne said.

“These solutions are much cheaper than building more roads, tunnels, bypasses, bridges or other fanciful solutions.”

He said clearways were a “no-brainer” and getting rid of one-way streets in the city would free up extra capacity.

He said more frequent public transport where you don’t have to worry about timetables was a good idea, as was a bus lane on the Tasman Bridge and Southern Outlet. Separated bike paths to encourage active transport could also play a role in reducing car dependence.

“If we can get short-distance journeys off the road, that frees up space for people who have no alternative to using their cars,” Prof Byrne said.

Independent Riders’ Group spokesman Damien Codognotto said single-occupant cars played a major part in the city’s congested streets.

He said motorcycles and scooters could save families a lot of time and money as an alternative to a second car.

State Opposition infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said commuters stuck in traffic were sick of words and wanted action.

“There have been no developments on the Government’s dreamt-up promises for a fifth lane to Kingston and an underground bus mall,” he said.

But acting Infrastructure Minister Guy Barnett said Mr O’Byrne didn’t mention any Labor policies that would help.