Ask the typical citizen of Seoul about his or her daily commute, and you’re likely to get an earful.  Congestion on our roadways has been so bad for so long, some might be inclined to accept it as an immutable fact of life.

Even in the best of times, traffic is a terrible drag on business.  But in the current climate, clogged roadways can keep a lid on the economic recovery.

All over the world, governments are making big improvements in their transportation networks.  Forward-looking leaders are deploying 21st-century technology to manage traffic flows in new ways.

In Singapore, controllers receive real-time data through sensors embedded in the roadway.  Running the data through sophisticated analytical software enables them to predict traffic flows with up to 85% accuracy.

In Kyoto, Japan, city planners simulate large-scale traffic situations involving millions of vehicles to analyze urban impact.  The system can optimize traffic lights to reduce jams and predict the effect a new shopping mall or traffic regulation will have on a community’s traffic.

These folks are not doing it because they like the latest gadgets, but because it will help their people succeed in an era of fierce competition driven by globalization.

Will Seoul be left behind?  The economic impact of traffic congestion is increasing every year.

We must take action now.  Gridlock, delays and endless lines of brake lights are not the harbingers of a thriving economy.  Competing in the global market requires a truly world-class transportation network.  “Smart” technology can help get us there.

Seoul is a tough town; it wouldn’t be Seoul if it weren’t.  Nevertheless, getting from point A to point B shouldn’t be a test of physical and mental endurance.  If we solve our transportation problems, our citizens will be a lot happier and, together, we will be readying our city for a prosperous future.