Moscow on the Move to evaluate city transportation
In hopes of improving all forms of transportation in Moscow, the city is developing a 20-year multi-modal transportation plan. The plan, called Moscow on the Move, will help create a more sustainable — and useful — system of public transportation.
A cohesive transportation program can be an integral part of a city’s overall success and identity. Walking through the streets of London wouldn’t be the same without the Tube, the underground subway system. San Francisco wouldn’t be nearly as quaint without its characteristic trolley cars, and Portland would lose a large chunk of its inherent personality if the streets weren’t flooded with bicycles.
It’s time for Moscow to take the necessary steps to gain full control of the city’s public transportation — it’s time for the city to turn the system of transportation around so it can benefit larger groups of people.
Construction and development officials are considering multiple aspects of the project: sidewalks, bike lanes and the quality of street-side signs have all been identified as items of concern.
Three firms are working together to create the multi-modal plan. Nelson/Nygaard will concentrate on the city’s transit system, Alta Planning and Design will develop biking and pedestrian paths while DKS Associates will study the impact of motor vehicle transportation.
Public transportation is successful in bigger cities where it’s ingrained in the culture. It creates a low-cost alternative for the public, and in some cases, completely eradicates the need for personal vehicles.
Opportunities to make more environmentally-friendly decisions present themselves every day. Especially in a city like Moscow, which encourages the use of bicycles and sustainability as bright blue recycling bins line any given residential street.
Even though Moscow supports increasing public transportation and efforts to be more environmentally friendly, it can be difficult adapting to these changes. Just as sorting recyclable items takes time, developing a new system of transportation will take time.
Moscow needs public input to help develop the transportation plan out of the beginning stages into a reality. City officials are seeking opinions from University of Idaho students and community members who will use these modes of transportation.
As students, we need to remember there are many alternatives to driving your car to class or work. Riding a bicycle, utilizing the current form of city transit, and even walking to where you need to be are small changes you can make. And guess what — those small changes add up in big ways.
–CR