By Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
Solving Harare ‘s traffic jungle needs a lot of tine and thought and dedicated implementation. Road widening is an obvious solution but other options lie beyond the obvious road widening solutions.
Alternative Strategies to tackle Harare’s Traffic Gridlock are very intrumentsl in order to tackle its impacting productivity. While road expansions are often the go-to solution, they are often costly, disruptive, and don’t always provide a long-term fix. It’s time to think outside the box and explore alternative, more sustainable ways to ease the flow of traffic in Harare. Hopefully someone can take on board some of these suggestions as a solution needs to be found as soon as yesterday.
Innovative strategies that could offer a breath of fresh air to Harare’s congested roads include
1. Investing in Robust and Efficient Public Transportation, this includes revitalizing the ZUPCO Fleet and Expanding Routes: A reliable and affordable public transport system is crucial. This involves not just increasing the number of buses but also ensuring they are well-maintained, operate on a predictable schedule, and cover a wider network of routes, including previously underserved areas.The should however be a limitation on the service providers as service can include newcomers who can be a source of competion to maintain quality good service. Two or three bus service providers could ease traffic flow into and outside the city.
Exploring Dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Systems: Implementing BRT lanes can significantly speed up bus travel, making public transport a more attractive option for commuters. This requires dedicated infrastructure and clear enforcement. Considering Light Rail or Tram Systems would be beneficial. For major corridors, exploring the feasibility of light rail or tram systems could offer a high-capacity, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to private vehicles.
2. Promoting and Incentivizing Active Transportation requiree creating Safe and Accessible Cycling Infrastructure: Building dedicated cycle lanes and providing secure bicycle parking facilities which can encourage more people to cycle for shorter distances. This reduces the number of cars on the road and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Improving pedestrian infrastructure involves creation of well-maintained sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and pedestrian-friendly zones makes walking a safer and more convenient option, especially for shorter trips. Many pedestrian crossings in Harare and Chitungwiza are not marked and there is considereble number of accidents in Harare and Chitungwiza pedestrian crossings which are not marked. In July 2024 I offered to supply the required paint to mark the roads and was advised to submit a letter to notify the responsible ministry of the intended donation. Sadly till today 26 March 2025 no response was received.
Implementing “Park and Ride” Schemes help by establishing designated parking areas on the outskirts of the city with convenient public transport links into the central business district and can encourage commuters to leave their cars outside the most congested areas.
3. Optimizing Traffic Management and Technology, implementing Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS): Utilizing smart traffic lights that adjust timings based on real-time traffic flow can significantly improve efficiency and reduce congestion at intersections. They are also known as censored traffic lights which sense where most of the trsffic is coming from and then opens up to allpw more of that traffic to flow through.
Utilizing Real-time Traffic Information Appsis a practice widely used in many countries, this provides commuters with accurate and up-to-date traffic information through mobile apps can help them choose less congested routes and avoid known problem areas.
Enforcing traffic laws more effectively and consistent and fair enforcement of traffic laws, including speed limits and lane discipline, is essential for maintaining order and preventing bottlenecks.
4. Encouraging flexible work arrangements and staggered hours is another option worth considering
Promoting remote work and telecommuting where possible, encouraging businesses to adopt remote work policies can significantly reduce the number of vehicles commuting during peak hours. Since covid many organisations have continued to get workforce to work from home and remotely, it saves on fuel and time lost lon the road and eases congestion.
Implementing staggered work and school start times is also helpful as parents are not all pocking and dropping school children at the same time. Adjusting the start and end times for different institutions can help spread out the peak traffic flow and reduce the concentration of vehicles on the roads at the same time.
5. Improving Urban Planning and Land use is crucial
Promoting mixed-Use development encourages the development of residential, commercial, and recreational facilities within closer proximity to each other can reduce the need for long-distance commutes.
Decentralizing key services and amenities involves locating essential services like government offices, healthcare facilities, and shopping centers in various parts of the city can reduce the concentration of traffic in the central business district.
6. Investing in Efficient Logistics and Freight Management:
Optimizing delivery routes and times and encouraging businesses to plan their delivery routes efficiently and schedule deliveries outside of peak traffic hours can reduce the impact of heavy goods vehicles on congestion. I witnessed large trucks driving up and down the cbd and some were offloading goods in the middle of the riad while blocking the traffic and causing unnecessary congestion and lacking respect for other road users.
Exploring Alternative Transportation for Freight means considering the use of rail or other transportation methods for moving goods within and around the city can alleviate pressure on road networks. This one would need complete revamp and revival of the rail network.
The Path Forward could see addressing Harare’s traffic challenges and us not simply building more roads. Implementing these alternative strategies will require collaboration between the government, local authorities, businesses, and the public. It demands a long-term vision and a commitment to sustainable urban development.
By embracing innovation and prioritizing people-centric solutions, Harare can pave the way for a smoother, more efficient, and more enjoyable commuting experience for all its residents. The time to think differently about Harare’s traffic is now. While Mount Hampden city is now under construction and promises to be a great city some of the above mentioned solutions can be implemented especially the Park amd ride service which controls the amount of cars driving through the city.
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