Study: "Peak and License plate” program in the Miranda State, Venezuela

Authors:
José Alberto López Rafaschieri and Luis Alberto López Rafaschieri
www.morochos.net

On February 10, 2009, we did a focus group to research the views of citizens involved in the implementation of the "Peak and License Plate" pilot plan of the Panamericana Highway, in Miranda State, Venezuela. This pilot test for the "Peak and License Plate" began on February 2, so for the time of this study the plan already had more than a week of implementation, which allowed users to form an opinion about it.

The groups that participated in our research were composed solely by Miranda State residents that use the Panamericana Highway on a regular basis, and who had the opportunity to experience the plan in question. Following are the results of the study.

The focus group participants:

1) Expressed a generally positive attitude towards the “Peak and License plate” plan. They particularly highlighted the fact that such measures may improve their quality of life.

• “Creating public awareness about the need to improve the quality of life by leaving your car at home, one day a week, is very positive."

2) Said they have experienced less time in traffic and noticed a decrease in the major bottlenecks. For most, the measure is useful in combating the transit problem.

• "It works because it improves things."

3) They are very clear that this measure is for the short term, everyone agrees that the most effective and lasting solution is the construction of new roads, expanding existing or the development of underground projects.

• "The plan would be one of several to be made, there are more things to do, especially the national government should build more highways and roads."

• "What we must do here in Venezuela is to build large highways. In less than 5 years, maybe a little more, the Peak and License Plate will be no longer valid."

4) They are realistic in the sense that despite being convinced that the solution is more roads, they see the Peak and License Plate plan as a temporary solution. They are aware that motorways construction takes time and that the problem of vehicular traffic also needs a short-term measure.

• "I do not think that building new roads is so rapid as to alleviate the traffic now, as this method."

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