Proposing a Solution - Essay Example

In this regard, as a resident of Los Angeles, California, the problem that has besieged commuters in this area is the consistent and persistent traffic jams that cause delays in arriving at scheduled destination in time. The essay hereby aims to achieve the following objectives: to define the problem; to find a solution; to defend one’s solution by testing it; and to offer reasons for adopting the proposal in detail. Definition of the Problem Traffic jams in Los Angeles have been manifested to be a perennial head-ache for daily commuters.

Local residents, visitors and daily commuters have observed that traffic congestion has been a problem for several years now. One contends that traffic congestion is actually not the problem; it is an effect of something that has not been appropriately addressed. If one were to closely analyze the situation, the real cause of the problem is the greater increase in the number of vehicles commuting the area during peak hours and the lesser amount of accessible roads. The number and space of accessible roads apparently become limited during peak hours and could not possible accommodate the excessively large amounts of vehicles plying the area.

Alternative Courses of Action Seeing this as a problem of demand and supply, the alternative courses of action are as follows: to address the demand aspect through implementing reforms and policies concerning road or freeway use (through increasing the tolls; parking fees; and penalties for violating traffic rules); and to encourage commuters to share riding in vehicles. Likewise, the local traffic agency could apply number coding schemes to lessen vehicles commuting during peak hours. In addition, to address the supply side, the possibilities of building more roads or alternate routes could be examined.

Addressing the demand side means lessening the number of vehicles plying the freeway, especially during peak hours. As suggested, LA traffic enforcers could examine the possibilities of implementing increased prices for tolls, parking fees and penalties for traffic violations; encourage commuters to share riding in vehicles and even implementing a coding scheme where vehicles with plate numbers ending in certain numbers would not ply the freeway once a week. The advantage of this option is that lesser number of vehicles would mean lesser congestion.

The disadvantage of this is that commuters could be enraged by limiting or restricting the use of their vehicles. The second alternative, addressing the supply side is to build more roads or alternate routes. The advantage of this option is that more roads would give vehicles greater spaces to travel. The disadvantages are: funds for construction and the space to accommodate more roads. Recommended Course of Action After evaluating the options, one would propose focusing on the demand side through instituting higher prices for tolls, parking fees and penalties for traffic violations to demotivate commuters in using vehicles and to be encouraged to share riding vehicles with others who go the same route.

Likewise, applying the number coding scheme is another viable solution to limit the authorized vehicles plying the freeway. By increasing pricing policies, the city would generate more revenues and would enable the most efficient use of roads. As for the supply side, building more