Vocabulary on Transport And Traffic

Traffic bottleneck

Meaning: A point where traffic flow is restricted or slows down drastically.
Explanation: Usually occurs where multiple lanes merge or at busy intersections.
Example: The bridge has become a major bottleneck during peak hours.

Congestion charge

Meaning: A fee charged to vehicles entering a busy area, especially in city centers.
Explanation: Used to reduce traffic and encourage public transport.
Example: London introduced a congestion charge to discourage private car use.

Park-and-ride system

Meaning: A system where people park their cars outside the city and take public transport in.
Explanation: Helps reduce the number of vehicles in city centers.
Example: The park-and-ride system has eased downtown traffic significantly.

Vehicle emission standards

Meaning: Legal limits on the amount of pollutants vehicles can emit.
Explanation: Governments impose these to reduce air pollution.
Example: Stricter emission standards have improved air quality in urban areas.

Traffic-calming measures

Meaning: Methods used to slow down traffic in residential areas.
Explanation: Includes speed bumps, narrower roads, and pedestrian crossings.
Example: The council introduced traffic-calming measures to improve road safety.

Ride-hailing services

Meaning: Apps like Uber or Ola that allow users to book rides instantly.
Explanation: A modern alternative to traditional taxis.
Example: Ride-hailing services have transformed urban mobility.

Urban sprawl

Meaning: The uncontrolled expansion of cities into surrounding areas.
Explanation: Leads to longer commutes and increased car dependency.
Example: Urban sprawl has made public transport planning more difficult.

Last-mile connectivity

Meaning: The final segment of a journey, from a transport hub to the destination.
Explanation: A key challenge in making public transport efficient.
Example: Electric scooters have improved last-mile connectivity in cities.

Autonomous vehicles

Meaning: Self-driving cars that operate without human control.
Explanation: A growing innovation in modern transport technology.
Example: Autonomous vehicles could drastically reduce traffic accidents in the future.

Non-motorised transport

Meaning: Transport methods not powered by engines, like bicycles or walking.
Explanation: Promoted as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives.
Example: Cities are investing in infrastructure for non-motorised transport.

Multi-modal transport

Meaning: Using more than one mode of transport in a single journey.
Explanation: For example, taking a bus, then a train, then walking.
Example: Multi-modal transport systems make commuting more flexible.

Vehicle density

Meaning: The number of vehicles per unit area of road.
Explanation: High density leads to slower movement and congestion.
Example: The city’s vehicle density has tripled in the last decade.