This paper formulates some objectives for transport professionals in relation to new technologies, and discusses some policy issues associated with travel information systems and road safety. It assumes continued growth of vehicle fleets and road traffic for at least 20 years. Objectives of transport professionals should include: (1) coping with motor vehicles after the year 2000; (2) building motorways that are more environmentally friendly, but at a much higher cost; (3) improving traffic flow and safety by genuinely controlling speeds; (4) using motorway capacity better by making travel charges more perceptible to drivers; and (5) introducing driver information technologies, based on increased capacities of ground-vehicle and vehicle-vehicle communication links. These objectives are discussed in relation to the European PROMETHEUS and DRIVE/ATT programmes for developing advanced technologies for road transport. Issues for travel information services include: (1) traffic and road network information; (2) optimal route guidance; (3) additional travel information; (4) standardisation; (5) pricing; (6) organisational issues; and (7) legal issues. Some areas for work on further improvements to road safety are outlined.
Samenvatting