Viewpoint: Transportation for livable cities

[ozbob]

http://www.veolia-transport.com/en/medias/standpoints/vuchic.htm

The Viewpoint of Vukan R. Vuchic

  Transportation for livable cities

"Our heavily urbanized civilization entering the third millennium strongly depends on the health of cities and urban areas. Transportation, as their'lifeblood,' is a major, often key contributor, to economic and social conditions, as well as environmental quality of urban areas.

Moreover, it is increasingly recognized that the qualitative aspects of cities, referred to as livability, are greatly influenced by the composition of transportation modes they use. The root cause of major problems, such as chronic road congestion, unsatisfactory public transportation and neglect of pedestrians, is actually inadequate understanding of the transportation systems and their interaction with the functioning of cities.

Whether a city will be auto-oriented or mostly transit-pedestrian based is a matter of decision which the citizens and politicians of each metropolitan area should make. That choice will vary among cities and countries. The point is, however, that such a decision should be made in a rational manner, so that for each type of city and its local conditions (its physical form, whether it is an open or private city, etc.), the transportation system is provided that optimally serves its functioning and off ers high livability.

Experiences from recent decades show that, generally, cities relying mostly on a single mode restrict travel choices and constrain quality of life. Provision of balanced intermodal transportation systems, consisting of public and private transportation and attractive conditions for pedestrians, requires more sophisticated policies, planning and organization, but it provides very effective services and supports superior city livability."

Dr. Vukan R. Vuchic is UPS Foundation Professor of Transportation Engineering, City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, United States.

[Jonno]

Unfortunately our governments believe without a quiver of doubt that they are providing a balanced approach.  Public transport is being provided for the 15% of people who for a reason they do not really understand, or wish to,  catch public transport.