This report has investigated the impacts of transport policies in cities of differing transport characteristics and urban form. A two-zone strategic transport model was developed and calibrated to five urban areas: Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Derby and Reading. Six policy tests were carried out concerning changes in fares, fuel costs and central area restraint policies. The impacts of these policies were then analysed with respect to changes in mode, destination, veh-km, speeds and the net effects on CO2 emissions. The results showed that the different types of policies tested have significantly different impacts on travel demand in the five cities, in different parts of the cities and between the peak and off-peak periods. the cities and between the peak and off-peak periods. The study has also shown that when interpreting the results it is important to take into account the complex interrelationships between modal transfer, redistribution, changes in veh-km and changes in speeds. (A)
Abstract