This paper discusses some of the key needs and issues that have shaped the multimodal transport plan of the San Juan region of Puerto Rico, and describes its efforts to balance new capital investments and improved system management. The regional factors, significantly affecting transport planning there, are: (1) high population densities; (2) centralised development patterns; (3) a sparse main street network with limited continuity and capacity; (4) increasing severe congestion; (5) declining public transport; and (6) latent travel demand. The region needs to improve access and mobility in its centre, while also providing essential access to the growing urban fringe. This requires large investments to develop large investments to develop a new public transport mode, that is not trapped in street congestion, and major road investments in the suburbs. Over $2 billion in capital improvements for transport, including new rail and bus routes, are projected for the region by 2010. Congestion must also be addressed through better system management and reduced peak travel demand; seven specific actions are proposed for these purposes. Six factors are identified, that suggest that the new regional transport plan has an excellent prospect of implementation.
Abstract