The `International Comparison of Infrastructure' (EURINFRA) project is a study carried out within the framework of the special TNO research programme for the National Planning Agency (RPD), in the 1992-1995 period. This project is aimed at investigating the connection between spatial patterns of activities and transport networks and systems in urban areas. The starting point is an empirical approach: to obtain a grip on this connection, by way of comparing a number of similar urban areas in Europe. This interim report gives an account of the first phase, namely the results of the methodology, also based on an exploration of literature and a limited analysis of available international data. It appears that there are vast differences in the use of transport means between various urban regions. It becomes clear: the more inhabitants, the higher the public transport use per inhabitant. Still, the public transport use in cities of similar size, can vary immensely. In existing studies these differences have not been explained sufficiently. Therefore, in the methodology developed, a number of indicators have been distinguished, with which the differences in spatial characteristics, transport characteristics and mobility characteristics can be brought out into the open. The first results of the application of the methodology to Amsterdam are presented. For the second part see C 11072 (IRRD 491587).
Abstract