HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội is grappling with increasing pressure on its road infrastructure, as the rise in private vehicles far outpaces the expansion of its road network. While the city’s road area grows by approximately 0.3% annually, the number of private motorbikes and cars increases by 4-5% and 10% per year, respectively. This imbalance threatens to worsen the city’s traffic congestion if not addressed.
By December 2024, the total length of Hà Nội’s roads, excluding small lanes and alleys, reached about 23,420 kilometers. This includes key routes like beltways, expressways, national highways, and urban roads. Despite a modest annual growth rate of 0.3% in road infrastructure, land dedicated to traffic in Hà Nội currently accounts for just 12.13% of the city’s total area, falling short of the 20-26% target for key urban zones set for 2030.
Hà Nội has made strides in its public transportation network, with over 21 kilometers of urban railways now in service. The city also operates 154 standard bus routes and one BRT route, totaling 2,279 vehicles. Public transport accounts for 19.5% of the total passenger traffic, and the city aims to increase this to 30-35% by 2030.
Hà Nội’s population exceeds eight million, with an additional 1.2-1.5 million commuters from neighboring provinces. The total number of vehicles in the city exceeds 9.2 million, including over 1 million cars and nearly 7 million motorbikes. This surge in vehicles, with an annual growth rate of 4-5%, is significantly outpacing the expansion of the city’s road infrastructure.
Private car numbers alone have been increasing by 10% per year, far outstripping the growth of road space, which is growing at just 0.3% annually. Hà Nội’s population density is 8.2 times the national average, and the city’s mechanical population is growing at a rate of 1.4% annually.
As a result, traffic volume on many major roads and intersections often exceeds the roads’ designed capacity. For example, traffic on Nguyễn Trãi Road is estimated to be 2.5-3.2 times greater than its intended capacity, and Khuất Duy Tiến – Nguyễn Xiển Road faces a traffic volume 4.3-4.9 times higher than designed.
Experts warn that without effective solutions to curb the rapid growth of private vehicles and manage traffic demand, congestion in Hà Nội will continue to worsen. Among the proposed solutions are higher taxes on private cars, creating car-free zones, and promoting public transportation and non-motorized travel options. Managing traffic demand and encouraging the use of alternative transport are seen as critical to improving the city’s overall mobility and reducing congestion.
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