In this paper, the implications of the National Road Traffic Forecasts (NRTF) for town planning policy are examined. A wide range of planning authorities, academics, consultants, non-governmental, business and other organisations were consulted. Relationships between transport, land use and the environment are examined, distinguishing between access and mobility, in the context of the way private motorised transport encourages dispersal of facilities and lower densities. Examination of NRTF concludes that, because they are not constrained by capacity, they implicitly assume that the disposition of land uses, and other aspects falling within the remit of town planning, would be modified to accommodate them. The interface between trunk and other roads is not dealt with satisfactorily, and transport investment may be skewed. The authors assess what town planning mechanisms can achieve. Development control applications tend to be considered in terms of effects on the local road network in the short term, rather than on urban form in the longer term. Issues related to parking standards, planning agreements, the car, pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, demand management, traffic calming, car free areas, the role of planning in facilitating choice are reviewed. Recommendations are made for improving policy framework. Transport, rather than just traffic, forecasts should be attempted, and the future form of urban areas debated. Competitions should be held to select areas for practical policy development. Thorough land use/ transport impact analysis should be considered for major or cumulatively major applications. Areas for further investigation are identified.
Abstract