Innovative Sustainable Strategies to Mobility and Urban Transport Problems in Benghazi

Abstract

Nowadays, sustainable transport strategies and plans that involve different modes and options of travel have been considered as the suitable tools for tackling urban traffic and transport problems in cities with high population densities. In Libya, the mobility and traffic conditions in the urban areas experience number of problems, due the rapid increase in urbanization and the lack of public transportation means, which have led to an increase in the number of automobiles ownership per household. Libyan transportation authority stated that the road traffic has crucial negative impact on society's health and safety, considered that a major cause of death and injury in large Libyan cities, particularly, in Tripoli and Benghazi. In these cities, the car-based transport mode is predominated and most commuters are dependent on private travel mode to move from home to work or other destinations. While reviewing successful cities experiences that implemented comprehensive sustainable transport plans proved having access to a variety of transport modes and options can help households and road-users to reduce transport costs, improve transport safety, reduce pollution and providing easy and safe access to work, services and opportunities. Furthermore, public transport, includes buses; metro, light rail; and other modes, is one essential aspect of the overall system. This paper ascertains the remaining situation of transport and mobility in Benghazi, which is the second city in Libya, and hosts several important companies and institutions. Also, it is an important economy center and the most populous center in the Cyrenaica region. This study develops a plan for sustainable transport strategies that can be applied in or around the urban area of Benghazi to reduce transport problems, and this plan could be used as an indicator for achieving healthy and high quality of life in Benghazi community.