November 24, 2019
November 22, 2018
by Fumiya TAMAOKI and Masahiro KOMATSU
About Transportation in Kyoto
Because Kyoto is an urban city, it is rare for people to be inconvenienced by transportation. The bus system which runs in the city covers all the main streets so making connections is also not complicated. In addition to that, the subway and the train also go through the city and it is very convenient when going a distance from the center city. Unlike buses, trains are not going to be late because of traffic jams, so you can get to the destination station on time.
The problem that comes up is that buses often are delayed due to traffic congestion. If you live in Kyoto, you may be able to predict when the buses will be delayed and act. However, Kyoto, one of the world’s leading tourist cities, has many tourists from Japan and abroad. There are many disadvantages that tourists cannot act on schedule. For example, they cannot go to some sightseeing spots and have time for a return trip they are one a tight schedule.
In this way, transportation in tourist cities should be as timely as possible. Therefore, we would like to recommend running trams. There used to be a tramway operation plan in Kyoto, but the plan has disappeared. How would a tram system benefit Kyoto residents and visitors?
Merits of a Tram System
There are some merits of having a tram as an example of a successful city. For example, in Hokkaido which is located in the northernmost part of Japan, and in Sapporo city in Hokkaido there is a tram and it is very successful. The streetcar in Sapporo is circulating in the city and stops at major tourist spots. Connecting with trains and buses is complicated because the sightseeing spots of Sapporo city are scattered in a wide range in the east, west, north and south. However, the circulation of the tram has made it easy to go to various sightseeing spots. Not only that, because it is operated on time, it is convenient for commuting and going to school, so it seems that there are many customers on the streetcar in Sapporo. Next, the streetcar of Toyama, prefecture located in the center of the Japanese archipelago, is also a successful example. Toyama prefecture made various efforts to increase the number of customers using trams. For example, the plan is to improve convenience by maintaining the bicycle parking lot around the station, and also to improve the understanding of the residents because it operates firmly with the administration. Many customers have gained easy access to large shopping malls and public facilities. As you can see from examples of these successful cities, many people can easily access each sightseeing spot on time, easily by using trams in Kyoto.
Problems of a Tram System
However, in order to utilize a tram, it is necessary to clear many problems. First of all, Kyoto is a city that has existed for over 1000 years, and its remnants are a lot left behind. As a result, the road width is very narrow compared to cities of the same size. The road in Kyoto has no space for a tram. If the Kyoto tram planner goes over the rail of the tram without taking any measures at all, traffic congestion and traffic accidents will occur frequently. In order to clear this problem, it is necessary to regulate traffic to protect the streetcar by taking a firm link with the administration. For example, on roads where traffic congestion is likely to occur, there will be traffic regulation of general vehicles. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, understanding from residents is necessary. A sufficient explanation will be necessary for residents to understand the convenience of trams. However, the use of trams in Kyoto, a tourist city, leads to improvement of traffic congestion and improvement of convenience. By connecting the tram cars, it is possible to increase the number of people who can be transported. Buses have an upper limit on the number of people who can be transported at one time, but trams do not have an upper limit. Utilizing trams in Kyoto can reduce the amount of cars that customers ride, which leads to improved traffic congestion. In addition, the convenience for tourists would be improved by the creation of new transportation with transporting power.
Future of Trams in Kyoto
Next, consider the other merits of having a tram in Kyoto. If a tram can work to connect tourist attractions, tourists can plan stamp rallies etc. If you do such a project, it will be more fun to tourist attractions. Tourists are visiting Kyoto sightseeing spots, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Shrine and Heian Shrine are on the straight main street called Higashi Oji Street so that it is easy to access. However, these places are a bit far to walk, but the same time is required to walk and use the bus, as buses are used to get caught up in traffic or the number of buses is small. Therefore, if tourists can utilize a tram without a traffic jam, it will be less stressful and accessible. Furthermore, if cooperation with other transportation facilities is established, it becomes easier to access various places.
The subway in Kyoto is inconvenient because it has only two lines. However, if you add a tram to those existing method of transportation, the range of access will be several times wider. Since the tram is a circulation line, even at the terminal station, the number does not decrease, so do not worry about the time. However, there is a possibility of a decrease in the number of people going to sightseeing spots away from the streetcar. To solve the problem, change the bus diamond according to the situation, set a rental bicycle at the station, and so on. Such efforts lead to departure from the car society. Utilization of trams will also be a solution to problems of exhaust gas and traffic congestion
Kyoto Needs a Tram
The operation of trams has all kinds of problems, and it will take a considerable amount of time and money to solve them. However, as trams become available, access in Kyoto will be very convenient. And the tram is good not only for people but also for the environment. We are hoping for a streetcar to be born in Kyoto for people and the Earth.