BBC News - China traffic jam stretches 'nine days, 100km'
They desperately need better mass transit.
They desperately need better mass transit.
Monster Traffic Jam in China
- Thread starter s_lone
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I've been to Beijing recently. They have an excellent public transit system. Its cheap, efficient, fast and busy. I recommend it as the way to get around. The same with Shanghai where I also visited.
This traffic jam involved mostly trucks hauling coal, not commuters in cars. China needs to improve their freight train capacity and get these trucks off their highways.
This traffic jam involved mostly trucks hauling coal, not commuters in cars. China needs to improve their freight train capacity and get these trucks off their highways.
Last summer when I was in China, we travelled lots of new expressways. In some areas, traffic was very heavy, though, so I can see how this happens. I did see odd things, too, like a guy walking down the expressway sweeping it by hand.
Another example of capitalist economy valuing profits above common sense. They know that selling more cars is only going to be deleterious to the health of the city, and its inhabitants, yet, they are powerless to the whims of the market. The economy trumps all other concerns.
Whims of the market? More like wishes of the consumers. People buy things because they want them.
That is what the whim of the market is. Adam Smith called it the 'invisible hand'. It is anarchical. A basic understanding of economics will show you this.
Most important to a thorough understanding of economics is this. However, Adam Smith, Ricardo, marginal utility, and macroeconomics will make my point equally well.
I do own a car, and it makes my life easier. Although, as of late, it is falling apart8O
Saw an interesting take on this on Letterman. He showed footage of the traffic jam and then went to the front of the line to see what the problem was. Turned out they couldn't get past the Great Wall.