The authors report on work undertaken as part of the SPRITE (Separating the Intensity of Transport from Economic Growth) project, funded through the European Union 5th Framework Growth programme and set up to examine the relationship between economic growth and transport growth. Specifically the aim of the project is to research the potential for measures (both new and existing) to reduce travel demand while maintaining economic growth and enhancing environmental quality. The project has undertaken, during summer 2000, an extensive questionnaire survey of experts, mostly from within the European Community countries, which sought to ascertain their views on the measures most likely to be available at both national and international level to achieve the aim of separating transport from economic growth. Nearly 100 responses have been received from academia, consultancy and industry, research organisations, campaigning organisations and Government and international institutions. The questionnaire survey was followed up by a series of three panel sessions held in Cambridge, Frankfurt and Rome in September and October 2000, each bringing together groups of around 15-20 experts to discuss in more detail some of the ideas raised through the questionnaires. The authors summarise the main findings of these surveys, in particular focusing on the detail of the measures put forward and the evidence which exists for the effectiveness of the individual measures and the requirements for ensuring that they work together in integrated strategies. A range of types of measures have emerged from the experience of different experts, including those relating to efficiency, logistics and transport innovation; pricing policies; command and/or liberalisation policies; changes in the economy; and the emergence of integrated strategies.
Abstract