O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/13 · Oct/Nov 2012 · Q225 Marks

(a) Study Photographs A, B and C (Insert), which show three methods of reducing traffic problems in urban areas. (b) Study Fig. 3, which shows the city of Hereford, in the UK. [Figure 2.1]

(a)(i)Traffic can cause congestion in the CBD of many urban areas. What is meant by the initials CBD? C............... B............... D...............[1]
(a)(ii)Which one of Photographs A, B or C, was taken in the CBD? Give one piece of evidence to justify your choice. Photograph ................................................................ Evidence ................................................................[2]
(a)(iii)Describe how each of the three methods shown in Photographs A, B and C reduces traffic in the CBD. Photograph A ................................................................ Photograph B ................................................................ Photograph C ................................................................[3]
(a)(iv)Explain why it is important to reduce problems of traffic congestion in urban areas.[4]
(b)(i)Suggest three reasons why traffic congestion is likely in the CBD of Hereford.[3]
(b)(ii)The planning department of Hereford City Council wants to reduce traffic congestion in the CBD. The following options are being considered: 1 Restrict the type of vehicle allowed into the CBD; 2 Improve public transport throughout the city; 3 Build a ring road around the city. Which option would you advise them to choose? Explain why you chose your option and why you rejected the other options. Option ......[5]
(c)In many urban areas there are places where people are living in poor quality housing. Name an urban area which you have studied where people are living in poor quality housing. Describe the attempts which have been made to solve this problem. Name of urban area ................................................................[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2012). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) (i) Central Business District
[2] (a) (ii) C (1 mark) Evidence for 2nd mark such as: Pedestrianised area; High order services/examples e.g. shops/commercial; Lots of people; Mainly 3 storey buildings; etc 2 @ 1 mark
[3] (a) (iii) Methods such as: A - Trams/trains mean people do not take their private cars into urban areas/can carry more people than a car/eases traffic jams; B - Park and Ride means cars do not have to enter CBD/bus can carry more people than a car/people have to use bus/leave cars outside CBD; C - traffic free zone/people have to walk/cars are not allowed; 3 @ 1
[4] (a) (iv) Ideas such as: traffic congestion wastes peoples’ time; longer journey to work/school; more chance of accidents/reduces danger; congestion leads to stress/road rage; wasted fuel; reduces atmospheric pollution; reduces noise pollution; reduced cost for businesses delivering goods; etc; N.B: Candidates can refer to benefits of reduction or problems e.g. reduces time wasted or congestion wastes time. 4 @ 1
[3] (b) (i) There are many residential areas surrounding the CBD/It is in an area where lots of people live; people need to travel to CBD for work/school/shops/business; many roads lead to this area; inadequate/narrow roads/incomplete ring road; delivery vehicles will cause congestion; people parking will cause congestion; only one road bridge over river; not all areas are covered by a railway line/no station in CBD; Cathedral traffic; etc 3 @ 1 mark
[5] (b) (ii) No mark for choice of option. Marks to be awarded for reasoning. E.g. Option 1: Restricting the number of vehicles will result in less hold ups; as roads will be able to cope with smaller numbers; preventing lorries in town centre will stop roads being blocked; as narrow roads are not designed for large vehicles; Rejected B as people will still take their cars if they are allowed to even if public transportis improved; as it is more convenient/quicker than public transport (dev) Rejected C as ring road will not solve congestion caused By people going to CBD; As it only diverts away through traffic (dev). E.g. Option 2: Providing more buses/trains; means there will be less traffic on the roads (dev); So there will be less hold ups (dev); Roads will cope with smaller numbers of cars; Bus lanes can be given priority; So people will be on time for work (dev); Extending the railway line to all surrounding areas; Will serve more people so less cars (dev); E.g. Option 3: Building a ring road around the city will eliminate through traffic; So there will be less cars on the road (dev); e.g. people travelling from Malvern to Abergavenny won’t have to travel through the city (dev); 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] (c) Levels marking Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail on attempts to solve problem of inadequate housing. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example (must be smaller than a country). More developed statements on attempts to solve problem of inadequate housing. Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example (eg Rio de Janeiro). Developed references to attempts to solve problems of inadequate housing including some place specific reference. Candidates may refer to ideas such as: Building materials Housing developments Relocation New towns/cities Infrastructure etc