Global traffic jam. | 6 Minute English.

Summary

In this episode of Six Minute English by BBC Learning English, hosts Rob and Jennifer discuss the hypothetical scenario of everyone owning a car and its potential impact on global traffic. With a billion cars currently in existence and a predicted four billion by 2050, they explore the concept of 'gridlock' where roads become so congested that traffic cannot move. The show delves into the traffic situation in Mumbai, India, described as a 'maelstrom' of vehicles, and touches on technological solutions like smart, less polluting, and more compact cars. They also mention self-driving cars and the challenges of changing human behavior. The episode concludes with a trivia question about a 100-kilometer traffic jam in Beijing and a review of key vocabulary related to traffic and driving.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The BBC's 'What If' series is exploring future scenarios, including the potential consequences if everyone owned a car.
• 🌍 There are currently a billion cars in the world, with predictions suggesting this could quadruple to four billion by 2050, leading to serious traffic issues.
• 🚦 Traffic jams are a growing problem globally, with cities like Mumbai, India, struggling to cope with the chaotic mix of vehicles on the roads.
• 🚦 The term 'gridlock' describes a situation where roads are so congested that traffic cannot move, which is already a reality in some developing countries.
• 🚗 Despite the traffic issues, people's love for cars is not diminishing, suggesting that technological solutions are needed rather than reducing the number of cars.
• 🛠️ Technological advancements are being proposed as solutions, such as creating cars that are more fuel-efficient and have a smaller environmental footprint.
• 🏗️ Innovations like the MIT City Car, which can fold, and thinner two-wheeled cars are being developed to address the space issues on roads.
• 🤖 Self-driving or 'robot' cars are also being considered as a way to optimize road space by allowing them to drive closer together.
• 🚶‍♂️ In some cities like London, it has been found that walking can be faster than driving during rush hour due to traffic congestion.
• 🗣️ The discussion also touched on the human factor in driving, with a playful debate on who are the worst drivers, though this was not a main focus of the script.
• 📊 A trivia fact was shared about the world's longest traffic jam in 2010 on the Beijing to Tibet expressway, which was 100 kilometers long and lasted 12 days.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the Six Minute English episode?

The main topic of discussion is the potential future scenario where everyone has a car and the associated traffic problems.

What is the term used to describe a situation where roads in towns and cities are so blocked that traffic is unable to move?

The term used is 'gridlock'.

How many cars are estimated to be on the roads by 2050 according to the script?

It is estimated that there will be four billion cars by 2050.

What is the term used by Theo Leggett to describe the chaotic mix of vehicles in Mumbai?

The term used by Theo Leggett is 'maelstrom'.

What does the term 'bumper to bumper' refer to in the context of traffic?

The term 'bumper to bumper' refers to vehicles being squeezed closely together in the city streets, indicating heavy traffic congestion.

What is the longest traffic jam mentioned in the script, and where did it occur?

The longest traffic jam mentioned is 100 kilometers long and occurred on the Beijing to Tibet expressway in China.

How long did the 100-kilometer traffic jam in Beijing last?

The 100-kilometer traffic jam in Beijing lasted for 12 days.

What is Bjorn Lomberg's view on the solution to traffic congestion?

Bjorn Lomberg believes the solution is technological, focusing on finding smart ways to create less polluting and more efficient cars.

What are some of the technological solutions mentioned in the script to address traffic problems?

Some technological solutions mentioned include designing foldable cars, thinner cars with two wheels, and self-driving robot cars that can drive closer together to save space on the road.

What is Jennifer's opinion on who are the worst drivers, men or women?

Jennifer believes that women are very safe drivers at all times, implying that men might be considered the worst drivers.

What are some of the words related to driving and traffic mentioned in the script?

Some of the words mentioned include 'traffic jams', 'gridlock', 'maelstrom', 'bumper to bumper', 'get behind the wheel', 'infrastructure', 'the end of the road', and 'gas guzzling'.