It has been found that the dynamics of vehicular traffic are nearly identical to that of the bloodstream and last night this was on full display. For the first time in my life I experienced true gridlocked traffic and its epicenter was on two of the largest streets in Xi'an- Chang'an South St and Wild Goose Pagoda West St.
Right now, traffic is Xi'an is already a headache since one half of Chang'an St is under construction for the new subway system. Because of this, the traffic that would take up both sides of the street are pushed over into a space designed for one side. I've seen at many points giant two storey buses driving in the same lane seemingly destined for a head on collision only to dodge each other at the last minute. Under this condition, Xi'an is constantly primed for traffic disaster. Yesterday it happened.
It was indeed the perfect storm, a Saturday at twilight- shoppers filling department stores, an important futbol game coming to a close, and eager drivers looking to beat the traffic. As I began walking home from the soccer game, I was floored by the number of people walking the streets. For me, it was like I was a fish pushing my way up stream. I thought it was just a abnormally busy Saturday but when I made my way up onto a pedestrian bridge, I could see the red lights of cars in standstill traffic stretch beyond what my eyes could see. I know that Xi'an needs a subway badly but the mess it is creating is beyond description.
The messages associated with the creation of the subway is one on modernity and civilization. The walls that create a barrier from the construction are covered in advertisements highlighting the Xi'an made of skyscrapers mixed with open green spaces, and an slogan that strikes at the heart of the governments desires- "做地鐡做文明人" make a subway, make civilized people.
But last night, was truly the most awe inspiring traffic nightmare I have ever witnessed- befitting of Halloween time. After fighting thought the crowds, we made our way to the epicenter- the gridlocked intersection. It was a mishmash of cars, trucks and buses some so close
together they were touching and interspersed with pedestrians trying to make it across the street. The police had arrived to try to untangle the knot but their task was daunting. Some cars decided to drive on the pedestrian filled sidewalk to sidestep the gridlock. While pedestrians filled the streets in the in the the space after
the gridlock had stopped all vehicular traffic. It was a rare experience to be able to walk in the middle of one of the busiest streets in Xi'an during rush hour and not have to worry about the safety of your life. All in all, I think it is a testament to the difficulty of governance when population density is this high.
Right now, traffic is Xi'an is already a headache since one half of Chang'an St is under construction for the new subway system. Because of this, the traffic that would take up both sides of the street are pushed over into a space designed for one side. I've seen at many points giant two storey buses driving in the same lane seemingly destined for a head on collision only to dodge each other at the last minute. Under this condition, Xi'an is constantly primed for traffic disaster. Yesterday it happened.It was indeed the perfect storm, a Saturday at twilight- shoppers filling department stores, an important futbol game coming to a close, and eager drivers looking to beat the traffic. As I began walking home from the soccer game, I was floored by the number of people walking the streets. For me, it was like I was a fish pushing my way up stream. I thought it was just a abnormally busy Saturday but when I made my way up onto a pedestrian bridge, I could see the red lights of cars in standstill traffic stretch beyond what my eyes could see. I know that Xi'an needs a subway badly but the mess it is creating is beyond description.
The messages associated with the creation of the subway is one on modernity and civilization. The walls that create a barrier from the construction are covered in advertisements highlighting the Xi'an made of skyscrapers mixed with open green spaces, and an slogan that strikes at the heart of the governments desires- "做地鐡做文明人" make a subway, make civilized people.
But last night, was truly the most awe inspiring traffic nightmare I have ever witnessed- befitting of Halloween time. After fighting thought the crowds, we made our way to the epicenter- the gridlocked intersection. It was a mishmash of cars, trucks and buses some so close
together they were touching and interspersed with pedestrians trying to make it across the street. The police had arrived to try to untangle the knot but their task was daunting. Some cars decided to drive on the pedestrian filled sidewalk to sidestep the gridlock. While pedestrians filled the streets in the in the the space afterthe gridlock had stopped all vehicular traffic. It was a rare experience to be able to walk in the middle of one of the busiest streets in Xi'an during rush hour and not have to worry about the safety of your life. All in all, I think it is a testament to the difficulty of governance when population density is this high.
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1 comment:
wow, willie!what a colorful description of a tension filled scene. gridlock in new york is nothing compared to your city of xi'an. glad you got to see a soccer game. how many people attended? noah didn't get the job in shanghai.
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