March 19, 2021. GTM. The metropolitan area of the cities of Guatemala and Mexico City have more than 21.2 million people; they record 7 million daily trips on public transportation. However, they present common problems in terms of traffic congestion, pollution, lack of articulation between urban transportation systems and increased demand.
Faced with this, those responsible for the Urban Transportation Plans of the cities of Guatemala and Mexico shared the initiatives and strategies that are being developed in the area of transportation and sustainability. Likewise, the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala presented an initiative implemented with the municipality of Guatemala aimed at the conversion of the use of fuels in transportation units.
The virtual panel on urban transportation, held on 18 March 2021, was organized by the UVG Industrial Process Center, the town hall of Guatemala City and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and was attended by 95 people, representatives of public, private, and academic entities.
“Mexico City has one of the largest transportation networks in the region. And also, the worst traffic in the world. An average person spends two hours a day to get to their work or study areas. We have a fragmented transportation system, inefficient with transportation systems that are not connected,” said architect Rodrigo Diaz, Under Secretary of Planning, Policy and Regulation of the Mobility Secretariat in Mexico City.
In Guatemala City, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million vehicles commute, and urban transportation alternatives are the red, blue buses and articulated buses of the Municipality of Guatemala, among other initiatives. Although, the Transmetro is highly efficient and has great opportunities, however, complementary alternatives must be sought.
For this reason, architect Eddie Morataya, responsible for the Urban Mobility Master Plan of Guatemala City, shared the current projects of the Municipality, “We are progressing with work on lines 5 and 7. Also, in restructuring public transportation including options such as the Ciclovia [bicycle lane], the Aerometer and the Metroriel.
For his part, Engineer Gamaliel Zambrano, Director of the Center for Industrial Processes (CPI) of the UVG shared the progress made in a project carried out with the Municipality of Guatemala on fuel conversion: “we are investigating the opportunities and benefits of biodiesel extracted from used cooking and industrial waste oils.
Then, this is used as fuel for a fleet. The oil that we dispose of pollutes the water and the soil, in this project it is recycled, and biodiesel of good quality is obtained. In this way, we reduce fuel gas pollution by up to 25% in used vehicles and 70% in new vehicles.”
The environmental impact of urban transportation is of great concern for both cities, as mobile sources are responsible for more than 70% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and toxic pollutants.
Connect, improve, and protect
The Panel's specialists considered that, while there are no magic formulas to solve all the challenges of urban transportation, there are common elements that can be used as guides for the design of public policies and programs led by municipal administrations.
From the experience of Mexico City, “We consider that the best strategy involves connecting the different city transportation systems; from promoting bicycle trips to the traditional mass transportation: Improve infrastructure and services to increase accessibility, reduce traveling time, improve travel conditions, and finally protect users and citizens. Transportation is a fundamental factor in the quality of life of the population,” concluded the Deputy Minister for Mobility of Mexico City.
The results of the event, as well as the video recording and materials are available on the official website of the Faculty of Engineering of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), the Municipality of Guatemala and UNOPS. Urban transportation has a direct impact on reducing poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mobility Plan aims at more service diversity and reducing emission: https://elperiodico.com.gt/nacionales/2021/03/18/plan-de-movilidad-apunta-a-mas-diversidad-of-service-and-emission-reduction/
Written by:
![Fredy Salazar]()
Fredy Salazar
Communicator UNOPS
