In 1988-89 the organisation Transport and Environmental Studies (TEST) examined the large literature on the trip generation that results from different land use configurations, and reported its findings to the sponsor, the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund. Rees Jeffreys then funded a more specific study, comparing the trip generative aspects of two new towns: Milton Keynes in England and Almere in the Netherlands. The two towns have some similarities, but differ strongly in their positive encouragement to walking, cycling and public transport and the localisation of facilities needed on an everyday basis. In Almere there is high car ownership, but modest provision for its use coupled with segregated bus- , cycle- and walkways. Milton Keynes' high car ownership is paralleled with high road provision, such public transport as there is has felt the effect of this, distances are too great for much walking, and the cycleways (and some walkways) pass through less-used areas which encourage assault. The study involved completion of travel diaries for two days by about 10% of mobile residents within a study area roughly the size of an English ward. Data collected was set against local shopping, health, education and leisure facilities, and the provision (and quality of service) of public and private transport facilities. The analysis of the data was continuing at the time of presentation of the paper at the seminar.
Abstract