With the number of cars on the road rapidly increasing, Tobago’s ongoing traffic study is critical to dealing with this higher demand.

That’s the view of Secretary of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment Kwesi Des Vignes, who said the road congestion is most noticeable at 8 a.m. when commuters are heading to work or school.

“In the last five years, approximately 6,000 new vehicles have been registered in Tobago. This does not account for vehicles registered in Trinidad, vehicles that are transferred, and vehicles already on the road,” Des Vignes said during yesterday’s (January 30) post Executive Council media briefing at the Division of Tourism, Culture, and Transportation, Scarborough.

“We have to take a scientific and strategic approach to traffic management and as such we commissioned the 2018 traffic study.”

The three-month study began in December 2018 and ends in February. It is examining several issues, including congestion, the number of drivers on the roadway, the types of vehicles in particular areas, and peak traffic periods.

Des Vignes said the higher demand for parking also presented a challenge. This is why the Division has commissioned a parking study, which he hopes will result in solutions for parking, especially in Scarborough.