Traffic congestion in Asian cities causes pollution and lowers living standards. Road congestion costs Asian economies 2 to 5 per cent of GDP each year. About 44 million people are added every year to Asian cities, where most jobs are found.
Delhi has strict rules. Authorities seize old diesel and petrol vehicles and have removed five million cars in two years. The city is adding electric buses and expanding the metro, which now carries millions of riders each day. Other cities are improving buses, building metro lines and using parking charges or tolls. New technology and apps can help manage traffic and reduce pollution.
Difficult words
- congestion — Too many vehicles on roads at once
- pollution — Harmful substances in air, water, or soil
- economy — System of production and money in a countryeconomies
- seize — To take something quickly by legal power
- expand — To make larger or increase in sizeexpanding
- toll — A charge drivers pay to use a roadtolls
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Discussion questions
- Do you think parking charges or tolls are fair ways to reduce traffic? Why?
- Would you use electric buses or the metro if they were better in your city? Explain.
- How else could cities reduce pollution from cars?
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