In this paper, the author argues that quality is the key factor for obtaining humane conditions, as the result of the future design of traffic systems and the repair of existing traffic systems. Human behaviour in a given transport mode depends on the quality of the environment of that mode. If the quality of the mode is high, as for car traffic today, most people will drive a car. If a higher level of quality can be offered to pedestrians, more people will walk. In the past, city planning based only on quantity has created inhumane environments and city structures, as well as inhumane parts of the traffic system. So many people leave the cities in their cars during summer holidays that they destroy the quality of the recreation that they seek. The unsolved parking problem in cities has destroyed the existing quality of public space, especially in old cities. A comparative study of Viennese public transport users in an ordinary motorised environment and in a high quality environment for pedestrians showed that they were willing to walk 73% further to reach a public transport stop in the latter case. The author proposes storing cars in garages, at least as distant from residents' homes as public transport stops are; this should encourage more people to use public transport.
Samenvatting