It is already a fundamental characteristic of any strategic planning, regardless of the context in which it is applied, to be dynamic and capable of facing various uncertainties. This topic gains even greater significance when the ideas concern traffic planning, especially in large cities, where population growth and evolving urban needs require increasingly sophisticated approaches.
New technologies, such as AI-driven traffic management systems, IoT-enabled infrastructure, and real-time data analytics, along with new demands brought by a new generation of public social policies, have heightened the need for adaptability in traffic planning projects. Designers and policymakers must evaluate these elements more closely than ever before.
It is also true that, based on a more critical view of these public policies, it has never been among the best-executed initiatives to try to keep up with population growth in large centers while providing the population with essential services. The Brazilian city of Curitiba, often hailed for its pioneering Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, offers a noteworthy example of how integrating public transport planning with urban development can address these challenges effectively.
If this is not the easiest task in the private sector, the same analysis shows that there are still more advances to be made in the public sector, even through public-private partnerships. For example, partnerships in cities like Los Angeles have resulted in apps like Waze sharing data with local traffic management, streamlining congestion solutions in real-time.
Last year, regarding the necessary investments in traffic and mobility policies, the United States, in just one of its national-level projects, announced an allocation of $100 million. In New York City, a significant portion of this funding was directed toward expanding bike lanes and improving pedestrian safety as part of Vision Zero initiatives aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities. Taking Brazil as an example, a country also developing in this field, a survey at the end of 2023 estimated that approximately $2.5 billion was invested in infrastructure and road networks.
However, thinking about improvements and advances in traffic policies is not just about improving traffic flow during peak hours in urban centers. Attention to this issue is highlighted by Pukar Bhandari, a Specialist in Transportation Planning. In addition to planning, the role of analyzing the measures taken is part of the professional’s curriculum in the field. A case in point is Stockholm, which implemented congestion pricing after extensive analysis. The result: traffic was reduced by 20%, and emissions dropped significantly.
One of the new demands brought by the new social context concerns the necessary focus on people with disabilities. And traffic, naturally, is one of the areas impacted by these demands.
Still using Brazil as an example, public policies related to people with disabilities made significant progress in 2015 when the country advanced with its specific legislation on these rights. Around 20 years earlier, more developed countries in this field, such as Sweden, had already introduced innovations that would serve as an example for the world to follow. This includes tactile paving, widespread in cities like Stockholm, which ensures safer navigation for visually impaired pedestrians.
“This new order of public policies also has an impact on strategic traffic and mobility planning. Today, it’s impossible to talk about these two concepts without talking about accessibility. This is exactly the line of thinking. It’s necessary to consider flow in terms of volume while also worrying about the quality of service provision, now in a more intense and specific manner.” For instance, Copenhagen has redesigned major intersections to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists while ensuring that these spaces are accessible to individuals using wheelchairs or strollers.
The explanation given by Pukar Bhandari is supported by most of these laws, seen in both the more innovative countries at that early stage and in developing countries in recent years. And the impacts, as he pointed out, affect strategic planning, whether it is in its original form or undergoing necessary reforms.
New constructions and buildings have encountered the concept of Universal Design, where accessories, from the simplest to the most complex, are included in projects right from the initial phase. These can range from a handrail, a ramp, to a sound traffic light, now commonly seen at busy intersections in large cities. Tokyo has set a high bar with its “barrier-free” design, ensuring accessibility in preparation for the 2020 Olympics—a benchmark for Universal Design implementation globally.
Renovation projects are not exempt from some transformations, as another concept in play here is Adaptive Design. If changes cannot achieve the ultimate design, they must at least meet the minimum acceptable standard, according to the legislation of each locality. One such example is the refurbishment of London’s Underground stations to include elevators and step-free access wherever feasible.
“The concept of equity represents advances in a locality’s infrastructure, but it also strengthens the well-being of the user, who usually pays, even if indirectly, for the service. Equity balances differences, fills gaps—some imposed by the historical context of the locality—and achieves satisfactory and equal results.”
In other words, traffic planning can be central, through concepts like equity, when discussing improvements in certain specific social areas, such as the one now illustrated. If the debate covers public policies, the effectiveness of investments becomes even more essential. Data-driven tools like the open-source Urban Access Modelling Toolkit have begun enabling planners to assess the equity of transport networks, ensuring underserved communities receive priority.
“It’s much more than bringing functionality. It’s about providing a fairer, more balanced, and equal system. And strategic traffic planning cannot be oblivious to all of this, at any of its stages, from creation, through execution, and in the control of its pre-established objectives. Through it, we can also evolve in various aspects, especially social inclusion.”
About the Expert: Pukar Bhandari
Pukar Bhandari is a distinguished Transportation Analyst and Planner with Metro Analytics in Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Architecture and Planning, Bhandari has earned recognition for his innovative approach to urban mobility and infrastructure design. Since joining Metro Analytics, he has been instrumental in leveraging advanced modeling platforms to analyze transportation and economic performance, producing data-driven solutions tailored to high standards of quality and practicality.
Bhandari’s expertise extends to collaborating with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including urban planners, policymakers, and private entities, to address complex challenges in traffic and mobility planning. His contributions include guiding teams in the development of strategic initiatives and expanding Metro Analytics’ portfolio with innovative projects aimed at improving accessibility and equity in transportation.
Among his accolades, Bhandari received the prestigious Best Professional Project Award from the University of Utah in 2023 for his groundbreaking work in mobility planning. Earlier achievements include the Best Architecture Thesis Award from Tribhuvan University and first-place honors in Nepal’s National Architecture Competition for two consecutive years, 2017 and 2018. His academic journey was marked by excellence, earning a full academic scholarship at Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Architecture from 2013 to 2018.
Bhandari’s focus on inclusive design and data-backed strategies has positioned him as a key voice in addressing the dynamic challenges of urban mobility, making his insights invaluable to advancing sustainable and equitable traffic systems worldwide.
