Expert Outlines 3 Steps to Ease Israel's Worsening Traffic Crisis

Despite significant investments in rail and public transport projects, Israel's reliance on private cars for commuting remains high, with only 16% using public transport to get to work, far below figures like 41% in South Korea and 40% in Poland. Dr. Robert Isaac, a transportation engineer and lecturer at the Technion, attributes the current traffic crisis to decades of policies prioritizing private vehicles and road development over public transit.

Isaac highlighted a stark contrast with other developed nations, where public transport usage for commuting reaches around 30% in Japan, 27% in Germany, and 24% in Britain. He explained that Israel, like the United States, adopted a model post-World War II focused on expanding highways and encouraging car use, while European and East Asian countries heavily invested in trains and metros. This historical choice, he stated, is now burdening residents with increasing traffic congestion due to the lack of viable alternatives to private cars.

While Israel is currently undertaking major projects like the Tel Aviv metro and expanding its rail and light rail networks, Isaac believes the country is 15 to 20 years behind schedule in developing these essential services. He outlined three key conditions for improving the situation: first, enhancing infrastructure and the rail network; second, improving service quality through more routes, frequent departures, and extended operating hours; and third, gradually restricting private car usage, similar to measures adopted in many European cities.

Isaac suggested that modifying parking policies, reducing available parking spaces, and prioritizing public transport are effective ways to curb private car use. He emphasized that the goal is not to ban car ownership, especially for those in rural areas lacking public transport, but to reduce car dependency in areas with viable alternatives. Decreasing the number of cars entering major cities, he noted, would also improve traffic flow for essential drivers.

He further pointed out that the disparity in public transport services between major cities and their suburbs, common globally, is particularly problematic in Israel when genuine alternatives are absent. Residents in the north and remote areas, he warned, will face greater congestion in the coming years unless rail development accelerates. The issue extends beyond trains and buses, encompassing pedestrian infrastructure, especially in Arab towns and villages where safe sidewalks are often lacking.

Isaac dismissed the notion that Israeli society is inherently unable to shift away from private cars, asserting that changing commuting patterns is achievable through clear policies and improved services. He stressed that the aim is not complete abandonment of cars but a reduction in non-essential trips, particularly between major cities well-served by public transport. He concluded that developing public transportation is crucial for social, economic, and environmental progress, and continued reliance on private cars will only exacerbate the traffic crisis.