Traffic & Congestion | Sam Gellman | TEDxKowloon

Summary

The speaker discusses the growing problem of traffic congestion in Hong Kong and globally, focusing on how innovative solutions like Uber’s ride-sharing services can help alleviate this issue. While Hong Kong has creatively managed space, its roads remain congested due to rising private car ownership. Uber’s services, particularly UberX and UberPool, are reducing car numbers and improving efficiency. The speaker advocates for more flexible laws that allow people to share cars, arguing that car-sharing is a practical solution to urban traffic challenges, promoting both environmental and economic benefits.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hong Kong is one of the most innovative cities globally, particularly in its approach to space utilization and urban planning, but faces significant traffic congestion due to limited road space and increasing car ownership.
• 😀 Despite the world-class MTR system, more than 90% of journeys in Hong Kong rely on public transport, but not everyone has easy access to MTR stations, creating a demand for door-to-door services like Uber.
• 😀 95% of cars in Hong Kong are underutilized, sitting idle for most of the time, which contributes to traffic congestion and the need for more parking spaces.
• 😀 Over the past decade, private car ownership in Hong Kong grew by 50%, while the population grew by only 7%, exacerbating congestion and reducing average driving speeds in key areas.
• 😀 The lack of shared vehicle options in Hong Kong (only 20,000 cars out of 550,000 are shared) is a significant issue. More widespread car-sharing could reduce the number of vehicles on the road and ease traffic.
• 😀 Ride-sharing apps like Uber have already proven to be a solution to traffic congestion, taking millions of kilometers off the road and helping cities reduce their car count through services like UberPool.
• 😀 The growth of private car ownership is a global issue, with major cities in China and India adding 10,000 cars to their roads every day, resulting in increasingly congested cities.
• 😀 Uber's UberPool service, which allows multiple riders to share a car, has been particularly successful, reducing congestion and making transportation more affordable and efficient.
• 😀 Ride-sharing apps like Uber are contributing to a shift in the paradigm of car ownership. More people are choosing not to own cars and instead use ride-sharing services, which is changing the way cities manage transportation.
• 😀 Allowing people to share their cars for a fee (e.g., by using Uber or similar services) is not a radical proposition but a logical extension of the sharing mindset that has already transformed other aspects of urban living in places like Hong Kong.
• 😀 The global challenge of traffic congestion can be alleviated not by costly infrastructure projects, but by leveraging technology and innovation to make better use of the cars already on the road, enabling shared mobility solutions.

Q & A

What is the primary issue discussed in the transcript?

The primary issue discussed is traffic congestion in cities, with a focus on Hong Kong, and the inefficiencies caused by private car ownership and limited shared mobility options.

Why does the speaker believe that Hong Kong is a unique case when it comes to traffic and space?

Hong Kong is unique because it is one of the most densely populated and vertically developed cities in the world, which has led to a creative approach in managing space. However, the roads remain two-dimensional, which causes traffic and congestion despite the city's innovation in space utilization.

What is the main problem with private car ownership in Hong Kong, according to the speaker?

The main problem is that 95% of private cars are not used most of the time, taking up valuable road space and parking spots. This inefficient use of cars contributes to congestion and a lack of space for other uses.

How does the concept of shared mobility, like Uber, help address the issue of congestion in Hong Kong?

Shared mobility reduces the number of cars on the road by allowing people to share rides, thus lowering the total vehicle count, reducing pollution, and improving traffic flow. Uber's ride-sharing service like Uber Pool helps consolidate multiple passengers into a single vehicle, leading to fewer cars on the road.

What are some of the statistics shared to illustrate the impact of ride-sharing services on traffic?

In Los Angeles, Uber Pool saved 12 million kilometers of driving in just eight months. In cities across Asia, including China and India, over 100,000 people in several cities are using Uber Pool daily, demonstrating the global impact of ride-sharing on reducing congestion.

Why is private car ownership growing in Hong Kong, despite the existing traffic issues?

Private car ownership is growing because people want the convenience of door-to-door service, especially in a more affluent society where people may not live near public transport options like the MTR.

How does Uber aim to solve the inefficiency in the transportation system in Hong Kong and other cities?

Uber's solution is to encourage shared rides through Uber Pool, which allows people to carpool, thus reducing the number of cars on the road. By using technology to connect drivers with passengers more efficiently, Uber aims to reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

What does the speaker say about the future of car ownership and the rise of ride-sharing services?

The speaker suggests that ride-sharing services are causing a paradigm shift in transportation, where it becomes more convenient and cost-effective not to own a car. As ride-sharing becomes more accessible, people are less likely to purchase cars, especially in crowded urban areas.

What are the key benefits of ride-sharing services like Uber Pool mentioned in the transcript?

The key benefits include reduced traffic congestion, lower pollution, cost savings for riders, improved efficiency for drivers, and less need for parking space. It also provides a more affordable and flexible transportation option compared to private car ownership.

How does the speaker propose solving the road congestion issue in Hong Kong without massive infrastructure changes?

The speaker proposes that instead of building costly infrastructure like tunnels, cities should allow for more car-sharing opportunities. By using technology and the cars already on the road, ride-sharing services can reduce congestion and improve traffic flow without requiring significant financial investments.