Page 39 - International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities: The Case of Moscow
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Implementing ITU-T International Standards to shape Smart Sustainable Cities - The case of Moscow
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Figure 14: Typical flow of traffic - Tverskaya Zastava Square - Belorussky Railway Station
Moscow has also implemented a number of initiatives to reduce the need for private vehicle
trips and encourage walking, cycling and car sharing as a means of travel. Moscow has
introduced parking fees and reduced free parking spots in the city. At the same time, the city
has implemented online maps and online payment for parking, in order to improve its efficiency.
Drivers in Moscow are now spending less time idling at traffic lights or circling to find a parking
spot. Nevertheless, Moscow continues to make alternative travelling and commuting methods
more attractive and accessible.
As a further initiative to reduce congestion, Moscow is encouraging its citizens to take advantage
of car-sharing programmes. Moscow provides free parking to car-sharing services, in order to
lower the cost of operating these sharing programmes and incentivize the use of these services.
Uber and other ride-hailing services are enabled and encouraged, with policies implemented
that require the licensing of drivers to ensure public safety and security.
Recognizing that public transportation is one of the most efficient ways to relieve traffic
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congestion, Moscow has invested significantly in improving the city’s public transport system.
As a result, Moscow’s public transport system has become one of the world’s largest and most
effective. Its Metro system, for example, is ranked number 1 in the Western Hemisphere in
terms of volumes of passengers (2.5 billion passengers) and number 1 on minimal headways
maintained at all lines during all peak-hours (1.5 minutes). Managing this high volume of
passengers is possible only with the implementation of IT-based tracking and signalling controls.
Currently, nearly 60 per cent of Moscow’s population have convenient access (i.e. within
0.5 kilometres) to public transport. In addition, Moscow’s underground transit system was
expanded dramatically between 2010 and 2018, with 78 new stations opened. The metro
expansion is expected to continue as the Mayor of the Russian capital plans to double the length
46 https://www.mos.ru/en/city/projects/vybor-moskvichey
47 Akyuz (2015)
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