This paper examines the nature and scope of the impact of Information Technology (IT) on transport and raises the question of the relevance of conventional market-theory to transport services as 'a product'. Whether IT will have the effect of substituting or stimulating the need for movement is hard to predict. IT could have benefits for the whole community but to prevent irreversible environmental damage new forms of market mechanism and more political intervention may be necessary. The author outlines anticipated trends in transport over the next 10 years including increased automation, pollution control, fuel consumption, safety and reliability. Freight transport is seen as an area where IT applications will be developed most urgently and initiatives already in operation are described including ERTIS. In considering passenger applications sub-programmes of the PROMETHEUS project and current experiments are described. The use of demand-managing systems is discussed and examples given including CARFAX, ARI, CARMINAT and EFTPOS. In making competition between public and private transport fair road pricing is essential. The application of IT makes this feasible and work carried out by TRRL in this field is described. The problems of public acceptance and payment systems are outlined. The author examines the reasons why travel has increased with advances in telecommunications rather than decreased and it is concluded that needs should be carefully identified and consequences considered before applying IT to the transport field.
Abstract