Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
of time due to the potential cost, but with consistent investment, say to 2030. There are,
however, difficulties in pursuing such a project under the current project appraisal system in
the UK: the cost-benefit ratio is likely to be low due to the lack of usage along 'dead running'
sections (in the rural areas) relative to the project cost. This calculation ignores many of the
potential wider benefits in terms of mode shift and effective city design, but these issues are
not effectively considered in the current appraisal practice in the UK. The projects would also
require some very effective strategic planning, an increase of densities around the interchanges
in the urban areas along the route, and a forward-looking policy approach over 10-20 years.
All of these areas remain difficult in the UK as the current transport and urban planning
governmental framework is relatively weak.
In addition there can be a range of supporting measures: fare level changes; more extensive
bus services in rural areas; better network planning and integration; taxi-bus type schemes
for rural areas; a much improved public realm for pedestrians; cycle networks and hire facilities
across the county; road pricing (at a high charge per kilometre); car-free developments, higher
parking charges and restrictions in parking supply; much extended park and ride with 'remote'
parking sites next to major routes; widespread, mass market smarter choice behavioural
measures; and slower speed limits on all roads. International best practice in transport planning,
as found in public transport in Zurich, Kassel, Freiburg, Strasbourg or Montpellier; and cycling
facilities in Gröningen or Delft, needs to become standard practice. Despite the good intentions
Figure 4.29
'Heading home'. An effective process for transport and city planning would be to incorporate
the principles of backcasting within strategy development and implementation: agree what we
would like our travel behaviours and cities to be like in 2030, and develop a programme backwards
to attempt to achieve this.
Source
: Harry Rutter.
