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 London Street Management |
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This unit is responsible for the management of London 's comprehensive and strategic road network. It also supervises the London congestion charge, a fee for motorists entering the Central London area. The aim of this scheme is to encourage travelers to use public transport, cleaner vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles or their own two feet instead of motor cars and vans, thus reducing congestion. Much of the money raised in the scheme is invested in public transport.
The aims of this unit are a feat in themselves. On an average day there are over 26 million trips taken in London , all of them using the roads. On an average day in 2003 there were 22 million trips that depended on London s roads: 43% by car, 18% by bus, 1% by bicycle and 21% by walking. There are over 6,000 sets of traffic signals serving junctions and pedestrians in London . The London Traffic Control Centre has access to 1,200 CCTV cameras, 100 variable message signs and receives traffic performance information on some 300 routes in the capital.
Through the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN), London s roads are maintained and trafficked well so as to reduce congestion for all road users, including enabling more sustainable modes such as walking and cycling. Modes of activities would include the optimization of all of London s traffic signals and focusing on safety, the environment and the use of urban design techniques to get London s traffic moving.
Furthermore, the streets area of TfL is responsible for coordinating London s road network and managing road traffic in real time. This includes making extensive use of technology through the 24/7 London Traffic Control Centre.
Maintenance and development of London s streets in relation to their capacity to meet London s changing needs through various projects and initiatives are also considered. The management, maintenance and construction of streets and roads are regularly supervised to keep them in a good state of repair.
To reduce congestion for all road users other more sustainable modes of transportation is encouraged, especially cycling. This is also part of the London Street Management project. Cycling has become an important part in London transportation management. It is a quick, healthy, affordable and non-polluting form of travel that has the potential to increase the capacity of London s busy roads.
TfL has established the Cycling Centre of Excellence (CCE), a team responsible for delivering improvements in every aspect of the cycling environment. Priority is given to this mode because more cycling led to less congestion and help reduce air pollution. Not to mention that it brings improvements in London s street environment.
The perks of this sport is even more emphasized by the fact that London has a great cycling weather. London is the driest part of the UK and has a similar climate to Denmark, just good enough for cycling.
Added to that, Cycling s parking is free and easy, almost anywhere will do. It also takes eight bicycles to occupy the space taken by just one car. With all these advantages, more people are encouraged to try cycling. With this mode of transportation, the more people, the better since it also makes drivers more aware about this alternative and the roads safer for cyclists.
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