This publication is about the area of tension between mobility, accessibility and livability, in the Netherlands. It is shown that traffic and transport form an essential part of the economic system, on the one hand, and that they make a contribution to environmental pollution, on the other hand. In the period after 1950, the car has mainly been responsible for the whole increase of passenger transport. The importance of technological improvements in the great number of passenger cars, such as cleaner and more economical motor vehicles, is pointed out. In enhancing the Dutch economics by fulfilling its task as distribution centre for Europe, priority is given to freight transport. In view of an environmentally friendly development of the Dutch distribution function in Europe, lorries should have cleaner motors. Taking into account the livability within the Netherlands, the economic growth has to be made possible within the context of a sustainable society. Having regard to the area of tension between mobility, accessibility and livability, the goals to be aimed at can briefly be mentioned in terms of: (1) improvement of the environment; (2) reduction of the mobility by car use; (3) support of the public transport; (4) reduction of the distances in commuter traffic; and (5) (more) room for freight traffic. In answering the question 'what these goals can provide in the end', a number of purposes are mentioned in terms of, for instance: the reduction of air and noise pollution, decrease of the number of traffic fatalities and victims, the location of companies with access to good public transport, and extension of the infrastructure for public and freight transport. In order to realize these purposes, the Dutch government has presented a number of steps for the years 1992 and 1995. The steps for the year 1992 are mentioned here in a brief and somewhat adjusted way: (i) the source approach; (ii) the reduction and control of the mobility; (iii) the improvement of alternatives to cars; (iv) the offer of selective accessibility on the road; and (v) improvement in communication with and between all the parties involved in this matter. Finally, a short questionnaire including the answers to the questions is presented with which each Dutch inhabitant can test his or her knowledge on the current problems in traffic and transport and on his or her contribution to solve these problems.
Samenvatting