There are five contrasting approaches to transport planning in an urban area. In practice, most transport plans incorporate elements of all five approaches, for example in 'transport packages' that allow for relevant local political, social, economic, and environmental considerations. The 'do-minimum' approach assumes, for example, that congestion will become self-regulating before it becomes intolerable; it is generally accepted that it is not valid, so that it is used in practice as a basis for comparison with 'do-something' approaches. The 'land use planning' approach emphasises land use planning and the intricacies of individual site design; it recognises that the control of land use is largely the key to controlling the demand for transport and the impact of transport on the environment. The 'car-oriented' approach emphasises the urgent need to provide more and larger urban roads and car parks, to cater for the rapid growth in car ownership and use; it often classifies urban roads into functional groups. The 'public transport-oriented' approach emphasises significant improvements to the quality and quantity of road and rail public transport services. The 'demand-management' approach includes measures such as car pooling, varying work hours, technological improvements, road pricing, and rationing road space. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 892228.
Abstract