The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) organized a comprehensive 'Transportation Workshop' to carry Istanbul's transportation system into the future in line with common sense and scientific data. Representing Üsküdar Üniversitesi at the workshop was Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan, a board member of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Accessible Life Support Application and Research Center (ENMER) and Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Uçan stated that main arterial transfer points must be made suitable and practices that could increase traffic congestion should be avoided. Uçan also noted that when planning new metro lines and transfer centers, studies should be supported by user-experience-based surveys and field research.
Academicians from 61 universities in Istanbul, technical teams from 39 district municipalities, transportation sector representatives, and transportation tradesmen attended the workshop held at the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) Florya campus.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Took Part in the Workshop
Representing Üsküdar Üniversitesi at the workshop was Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department. During the evaluations made throughout the workshop, particularly transportation projects on the Anatolian Side, the efficient use of existing infrastructure, and planning for disabled access came to the forefront.
Main Arterial Transfer Points Must Be Made Suitable!
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan made evaluations after the workshop. Uçan underlined that main arterial transfer points must absolutely be made suitable.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan also drew attention to the importance of addressing the environmental impacts of some existing transportation projects, functionality between parallel lines, efficiency in budget utilization, and alternative solution proposals on a scientific basis.
Options for Increasing the Capacity of Rail Systems Should Be Evaluated
Uçan, stating that the project, which would pass through Minibus Street from Maltepe-Üsküdar via Kadıköy, would not be profitable, said:
- This project would disrupt the natural structure, leading to the felling of hundreds of trees,
- The Marmaray line runs directly beneath (a hundred meters ahead) the proposed route,
- It would not flow at all during peak hours, when car traffic is already heavy.
In this context, he also mentioned that options for increasing the capacity of existing rail systems should be evaluated and practices that could increase traffic congestion should be avoided.
Should Be Made Suitable for Use by Individuals with Disabilities…
Uçan also underlined that main arteries and transfer centers should be made suitable for use by individuals with disabilities, and he touched upon the importance of re-evaluating accessibility, guidance, and safety criteria, especially at frequently used stops and crossing points.
Should Be Supported by User-Experience-Based Surveys and Field Studies
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan also stated that when planning new metro lines and transfer centers, departure points and passenger density should be determined with scientific analyses and supported by user-experience-based surveys and field studies, noting that this approach would offer more sustainable solutions in terms of both accessibility and transportation safety.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi's representation at the workshop set an important example for integrating the knowledge base of universities into local governments' transportation policies. The academic evaluations are aimed at contributing to decision-making processes for the development of Istanbul's transportation system.