This study focuses on the supply and use of the motorway networks in the Randstad Holland, the Rhein-Ruhr area and the Antwerp-Brussels-Ghent region and the driving factors behind them. The study was carried out for the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Works. Compared to the Randstad and related to the number of inhabitants, the capacity of the motorway network is higher both in the Rhein-Ruhr area and in the Antwerp-Brussels-Ghent region. The supply of other main roads is also the lowest in the Randstad. The motorway network in the Randstad is the most easy to access. Because of the low supply and the less available alternatives, the average lane intensities is 20% higher in the Randstad region compared to the other two regions. Therefore, the chances of traffic jams are expected to be higher within the Randstad. The faster expected growth of car ownership and population makes that the disadvantages of the Randstad may become even bigger in the nearby future. (A)
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