With 23 kilometers (km) of bus corridor, it carries around 1 million passengers a day, or 35,000 passengers per hour per direction, and riders are seamlessly connected to both the metro system and the city's new bike-share network. The Guangzhou BRT (GZ-BRT), which is more than three times bigger than any BRT system in Asia, has set many world firsts. Guangzhou, the third-largest city in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, has gained global attention for its successful Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), unveiled in February 2010. Shinjuku station in Tokyo, Japan is one of the busiest stations in the world in terms of passenger numbers, and is one of the successful models of transit-oriented development. This model has allowed Tokyo to achieve one of the highest rates of public transit usage and gave city dwellers the freedom to view automobile ownership as a lifestyle choice rather than a necessity. Though they receive little financial support from the government, private railways in Japan achieve profitability by diversifying into real estate, retail, and numerous other businesses. Acting as community hubs, served by frequent, all-day, rail rapid transit and are accessed primarily on foot, by bicycle, or by public transit, these RICs turn riders into customers, and vice versa, at all times of day. They are home to many "rail-integrated communities" (RICs): high-density, safe, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly developments around railway stations. In addition to efficiency, Tokyo's railway station areas have also emerged as models of transit-oriented development (TOD). Tokyo, the capital of Japan and one of the world's biggest megacities, is known for having the most efficient railway systems in the world. What countries have adopted the ASI model successfully? However, simulations have shown the three components-avoid, shift, and improve-are not nearly as effective if implemented individually or in isolation. These savings come from reduced spending on oil in the transport sector, as well as from reduced capital and operational expenses on vehicles and the world’s rapidly growing roadway infrastructure.Īccording to Lloyd Wright, senior transport specialist at the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the widespread adoption of the Avoid-Shift-Improve model and other sustainable transport policies could reduce spending on oil in Asia and the Pacific by more than 40% by 2050. The International Energy Agency estimates that the widespread adoption of the Avoid-Shift-Improve model will reduce spending on vehicles, fuels and infrastructure by as much as $70 trillion between now and 2050. Video showing the ASI model in the Republic of Korea produced by the Korea Transport Institute What are the benefits of adopting the ASI model? The model gained wide international acceptance as a guiding principle for sustainable transport after the Bellagio Declaration on Transportation and Climate Change in May 2009. The German Technical Corporation (GIZ) is credited for introducing the model in the 1990s. " Improve" entails promoting efficient fuel and vehicle technology in transport, such as using clean fuels and clean technology." Shift" entails moving toward environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, or using public transport." Avoid" entails reducing the length and number of trips through measures such as promoting work-from-home schemes.The "Avoid-Shift-Improve" model involves three steps: The "Avoid-Shift-Improve" model promotes alternative mobility solutions and sustainable transport systems in order to tackle gridlock and get cities moving again. This has brought many once-dynamic urban areas to a virtual standstill. The region's vehicle fleets have expanded rapidly, too, in many cities more than doubling over the past decade. The region is also home to over 6,000 cities with over 200,000 inhabitants, many of which also experience their own traffic management challenges.
Half the world's 23 megacities are in Asia, and many of these have expanded far beyond their carrying capacity. It takes just three steps-avoid, shift, and improve-for Asia's cities to solve their growing traffic problems and get them moving again.