SUBWAYS NOT FAST FIX FOR TRAFFIC
Hard pressed by increasingly serious traffic jams, big cities are turning their thoughts to subways which are characterized by high speed, safety and comfort. The speed of an underground train is 30-60 km per hour; an bus's only 10-15 km. Furthermore, subways consume less energy, pollute less and ease above ground congestion. Yet, for all the advantages, subway construction is by no means an easy job. The biggest problem facing cities in China is how to raise the huge investment necessary. Many subway construction projects now are relying on foreign investment but that often carries stiff restrictions involving the purchase of technology and equipment solely from the funding country. Purchases from abroad often suffer from unfavorable exchange rates. As subway lines expand, the cost of land increases putting more pressure on the local jurisdiction to find a balance between population displacement, caused by subway construction, the cost of new housing and the projected long term benefits of a subway system. Many experts in China believe that the cities'loss far outweigh the gains. Others see subway construction as an inevitable trend that should be well thought out, planned, designed but also should take into consideration the diverse interests of the city in which it is to be built.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This article was provided by Leonard Zhongcheng LIU, Professor and Contributing Correspondent.
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Corporate Authors:
N/A
15 Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District
Beijing 100029, China - Publication Date: 1995-11-21
Language
- English
Media Info
- Pagination: 1 p.
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Serial:
- CHINA DAILY
- Publisher: N/A
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Construction; Financing; Land use; Subways
- Old TRIS Terms: Project assessment; Subway construction
- Subject Areas: Construction; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00716740
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Feb 6 1996 12:00AM