Today's European public transport networks are based largely on lines laid out in the 19th century but with new conditions imposed by technological advances and changed social conditions. The author sees the infrastructure as a bottleneck characterised by features such as its large degree of indivisibility, interdependence of elements and limited potential for alternative use. Problems associated with the maintenance and renewal of the public transport infrastructure are examined with particular reference to railways. Future demands on the transport network are estimated and the need to renew the transalpine public transport infrastructure used as an example. The disadvantages of current strategies for determining infrastructure investment are outlined and suggestions made for three alternatives: strategy based on demand control, strategy based on operational organisation and strategy based on capacity adjustment. A method based on the Swiss Total Transport concept for assessing the utility of transport projects is described in more detail with diagrams. Problems in the funding of public transport infrastructure and possible alternatives are discussed.
Abstract