15.5 Traffic Management Observing traffic management on an aerial photograph can be
divided into two basic categories: where traffic congestion is likely to occur and measures taken to reduce the traffic congestion.
Congestion Hotspots Traffic congestion is likely to occur on or near: • Narrow streets
• Crossroads or where several streets/roads meet
• Main shopping areas • Schools • Bridges
: Fig. 15.9 Yellow boxes help to reduce traffic congestion by preventing junctions from becoming blocked with traffic.
Reducing Traffic Congestion Traffic congestion can be reduced in a number of ways. These are usually visible on aerial photographs.
• Pedestrianised streets in shopping areas divert traffic away from congested areas.
• One-way systems aid traffic flow on narrow streets. • Roundabouts allow for a more constant flow of traffic. • Ringroads and bypasses reduce the amount of traffic entering a town. • Yellow boxes prevent traffic from blocking junctions.
• Off-street parking stops cars from parking at the side of streets and making the streets narrower.
• Double yellow lines prevent cars from parking on streets.
15.6 Future Economic Development
Identifying the location of a particular land use can appear as part of a sketch map question in which you are asked to insert a feature or in short questions in which you are asked to comment on land use.
1. Site
It is cheaper and less difficult to build on flat land on the outskirts of a town. The outskirts of a town also allows for future expansion and services such as parking and loading/unloading areas. Agricultural or unused land that has been rezoned for development is known as a ‘greenfield site’.
Brownfield sites already have old buildings which have become vacant. They are more expensive to purchase and more difficult to redevelop, but they can be in areas that are ideal for accessing markets.
2. Transport
New developments should have access to essential transport links such as roads/motorways, rail, ports and airports. This allows for efficient movement of goods and people.
In the exam if you are asked to locate a school, it is best to choose a greenfield site away from busy roads as heavy traffic could be dangerous for schoolchildren crossing roads.
GEOGRAPHICAL SKILLS 289
GEO DICTIONARY
Congestion hotspot: areas prone to traffic delays
ACTIVE LEARNING
Use Fig. 15.13 on page 296 to answer these questions.
1. Suppose a new factory is being built in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Choose a site for this development and justify your choice with three pieces of evidence from the photograph.
2. Identify and explain three types of traffic management used in Enniscorthy.
3. Explain three functions of Enniscorthy. Correctly locate each function using the correct terms.
