Study the vocabulary. Put the words into the categories relating to the traffic problems mentioned in Text A (Part 1, Part 2).

Outcome, pedestrians, a blatant lack, publicly owned, free of access, feel less safe, adverse impacts on, impedes, underlines the strategic importance, shifted to, city logistics strategies a growing number of accidents and fatalities, abandoned, disappeared to be replaced, the quality of life, share, dramatically increased, incite, sustainable forms, over-reliance, community interaction, be devoted, recurring delays, resulted in, mitigate, freight traffic, to impair.

Study Parts 1 and 2 again and write down 3 key words from each paragraph.

Talk about the urban traffic problems using key words and active vocabulary.

Work in small groups and discuss.

1) Can you say the urban transport problem is more serious and important than you have ever thought?

2) Can you predict the prospects of the problem in the nearest future / in 10 years / 20 years?

3) What could be the ways of solving the problem?

15. Read Text B. Here are some ideas to reduce the number of cars in cities. Which do you think is the most efficient one? Which one is suitable for your city?

Text B.

A Amsterdam: everyone has a bicycle. The narrow streets and cannel paths are easier for bikes than for cars. Thirty years ago, a Dutch anarchist, Lut Schimmelpennick, organized a system of free bicycles, with the agreement of the city authority. The bicycles were white. The idea of a ‘car-free’ city was simple: take a bike when you need it, and leave it at your destination. Then someone else can use it. For a few weeks, the idea was a great success, but then thieves stole nearly all the bicycles. One of them is actually in the Museum of Modern Art in Moscow. Later Schimmelpennick persuaded the Amsterdam city authority to try the idea again. The new system is different and hi-tech. it depends on ‘smart card’ technology. Bicycle users carry a smart card with their personal details. The user swipes the card and types in his or her destination. This opens the lock on the bicycle and the user can ride it away.

B Washington DC (and other American cities): after 4 pm in the afternoon, you can drive out of the city along faster lanes with less traffic if there are more than two people in your car.

C Athens, Greece: on certain days of the week, only cars with certain numbers can enter the city. For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the car number must end in an even number (2, 4 etc.). The following week, these cars can only enter the city on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. On Sunday, there are some areas of the city where no one can drive.

D Singapore: driving a car is very expensive in Singapore and public transport is cheap and efficient. There is a charge to drive along most roads. All cars contain a computer chip. Drivers pay automatically when they pass computers in the street. The computers deduct money from their bank accounts.

Work in groups of 3. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each idea.

17. Project 1. Work in groups of three. A Prepare a project presenting one way how to avoid urban traffic disaster.

B Present your project to your group mates.

C Listen to your partners attentively and be ready to ask questions about their presentations.

Work in small groups. Discuss the main problems of the public transport net in your city.

1) What kinds of public transport are there? 2) Which of them do you use? 3) How many routes are there in the city? 4) What are the most important routes there? 5) Are they profitable? Why? 6) Does the public transport net in your city need improving?

19. Project 2. Work in groups of three. A Work out a public transport route in your city. Prove its necessity, efficiency and profitability.

B Present your project to your group mates. Vote for the best project.

C Listen to your partners attentively and be ready to ask questions about their presentations.

Is it difficult to work out a public transport net for your city?