The paper assesses the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on urban surface passenger transportation (SPT) in Canada, thus placing developments related to ITS in the context of the over-all impact of ICT on SPT. It concludes that the probable impact of ICT will be to further augment the use of the automobile as the principal means of urban SPT. The congruent impacts of increasing urban sprawl and a declining peak daily flow; increased road capacity through ITS; and ICT induced rising incomes should all act to overwhelm the slight potential substitution effects from telecommuting, teleshopping or mobile telephones. Other urban SPT modes may continue to decline in relative importance, short of a substantial re-allocation of public funds. (A*)
Samenvatting