From problem to solution : theory versus practice. In the world of traffic and transport there is a constant parade of initiatives being implemented to increase safety, improve traffic flow or mobility. Whereas some initiatives meet their goals, we ponder the possibilities for improvement. We discuss a plan for identifying problems and choosing, implementing and evaluating solutions. We subsequently compare this theoretical approach to the way things are done in practice on the basis of interviews with experts in the area of traffic and transport. These interviews revealed a discrepancy between how things should be done in an ideal world and how they are done in the real world. Though we applaud increased attention to the process through which initiatives are realized, we also ask the critical question if the added value of these extra efforts is worth the extra costs. In addition to problems with the realization process, the interviewees indicated that there is too little use of fundamental knowledge of behavior and behavioral change in this process. In response to this deficit, we offer an approach to behavior through which it is possible to gain improved insight into both the causes of behavior and solutions specifically related to these causes. (Author/publisher)
Abstract