Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Information Analytic Environment Agency (ECORES) has developed a proposal to address the issue of eliminating traffic congestion in Baku, ECORES head Samir Isayev said at a press conference on August 2.

According to Isayev, the proposal will be submitted to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Transport soon.

"Unfortunately, the availability of car parking does not affect the elimination of traffic congestion on the roads of Baku. One of the main reasons leading to congestion on the roads is the vehicle drivers. For example, over 100 cars are parked near the main roads even given that there are about 200 empty spots in the car parks," Isayev said.

According to the expert, the lack of sufficient driving skill levels of some bus drivers, who stop their vehicles in prohibited areas to disembark passengers, as well as the lack of space for the parking of taxis are also the main aspects.

"According to our research, currently about 70 percent of emissions into the atmosphere are produced by motor transport. Some 70 percent of all vehicles today are concentrated in the capital, and that means a negative impact on the capital's environmental conditions," Isayev said.

Isayev said that one of the solutions for the current situation is the construction of 'intercepting' car parks at the entrances of the capital Baku, which is practiced in a number of countries.

Currently there are three main entrances to the capital city. The first one is from the direction of Koroglu subway station, while the second one is from the direction of Baku International Bus Terminal, and the third one is from the direction of Lokbatan. Isayev believes that these places could be more acceptable for 'intercepting' car parks.

Intercepting car parks or park-and-ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people headed to city centers to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system or carpool for the remainder of the trip. The vehicle is stored in the car park during the day and retrieved when the owner returns. Intercepting car parks are generally located in the suburbs of metropolitan areas or on the outer edges of large cities.