During a session of the Knesset Transportation Committee, Chairman MK Uri Maklev acknowledged the Ministry of Transportation is working to improve but has failed in matters pertaining to moving to smart transportation.

During the meeting, a representative of Waze announced a new option that allows drivers and passengers to coordinate travel between them at no cost.

“We know and are aware of the government’s decision on this matter, which is expected to take one step forward, This will contribute to road safety, the heavy traffic loads, the heavy financial loss, the environment, etc. We want and intend to be the supervising factor not only retroactively but also in real time, this is a subject for which technology can be harnessed to make it more efficient than any other issue. I hope we will advance to smart public transportation that will break transport crisis” explained Maklev.

The committee presented a variety of technological solutions to improve public transport and congestion on the roads. A representative of the Ministry of Transportation updated that at the moment, most of the teams and committees are planning, not stopping the activities of the companies that are already running. We have approved five experimental cars. The representative referred to the congestion management pilot program on the Ayalon Highway and said that the ministry opposes congestion fees [for fast lanes]. It is not true that a person who comes from the periphery will pay money to get to work. The chairman of the committee, MK Uri Maklev, said that the success of the fast route to Tel Aviv shows that the public is looking for solutions.

Later, IAI’s (Israel Aerospace Industries) controllers presented an advanced solution for transporting passengers, using floating trolleys capable of carrying thousands of passengers per hour. This is a response to the huge traffic jams at the city’s entrances. Committee Chairman MK Uri Maklev said that commercial companies should be partners and be integrated into all plans of the Ministry of Transport. “We have announced a new option that allows drivers and passengers to coordinate travel at no cost. Educating drivers to leave vehicles at home is no easy task but it must be towards reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Data suggests that persons avoiding new options and services are the vehicle owners, and we need to encourage further use of this product”.

Maklev summed up the discussion saying “The Transportation Ministry is successful in the test of act, but not the results. For example, the fast lane is a success and it has to be doubled in other places as quickly as possible. Investment in development, roads, tunnels and bridges improve addressing congestion on roads. The combination of key companies is important, providing light and technology towards reducing road congestion. We must be quick in reaching decisions and implementation”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)