An interesting part of the preparations for a new strategic traffic and transportation plan of the City of Amsterdam is a study into the ways in which the public transport system can be improved to meet environmental demands. Recent reports from the National Environmental Planning Agency are setting a goal for the level of mobility by private car. For the time being, this level is adopted for the above-mentioned study. Three or four models incorporating improvements and expansions of the existing public transport system in Amsterdam are explored, and their effect on car use is estimated. Important issues in the new public transport schemes are the revival of plans for underground infrastructure (which are politically acceptable for some time) to achieve substantial improvement of transport quality, and the emphasis on providing much better service in travel between the region and the city. Both issues have been worked out in detail, especially with regard to the question of what role new tunnel tracks should play in the future public transport network and what the shape of a regional rail system, that reflects the travel needs of commuters and visitors from the region, should be. The conclusion of the study tends towards the construction of one or two tunnel tracks for dual use in the central parts of the city. The new underground infrastructure should be suitable to be used both by tramway lines (upgraded to light rail standards) and by regional rail lines. A more detailed study should make it clear whether this can be done without irreversible negative effects on each of the system characteristics. Finally, the study also leads to the conclusion that short term improvements in public transport are needed badly. They should be realised simultaneously with a short term policy of reducing car traffic by pricing and traffic management.
Samenvatting