Abstract: In the year 2000, the UK Government - through the publication of a 10-year transport plan - recognised the need for a better transport network with less congested roads and modern, affordable and reliable public transport. Following decades of under-investment, the result in the UK, and many other countries worldwide, is overcrowding, congestion, delays, pollution and a lack of choice of how to travel. Clearly transport strategies worldwide need to evolve in order to keep pace with an increasing desire for mobility and to protect our quality of life. To meet this demand, the authors have identified a number of key issues of primary. These include: Changes in travel mode and behaviour, Traffic Growth, Infrastructure, CIimate Change, Land Use Planning, Safety, Sustainability and quality of life. Based on these key issues, the essay introduces an innovative model based upon the perceived urban make up of the United Kingdom in 2030 with urban and suburban agglomerations. The model visualises a framework of interchanges where efficient, mixed land use development occurs around them. The interchanges provide multi-modal choices and provide access to high-tech information resources. These interchanges are connected by intelligent linkages which comprise of automated highways, rapid multiple user transit and, sustainable and weather resistant infrastructure. The mixed land use surrounding the interchanges is designed to encourage linked trips for example by providing necessary amenities close to the workplace and school, thus reducing the need to travel. A fictional family is introduced in order to place Vision 2030 into some context. The reader is taken through a typical day scenario of the four family members and witnesses further the actualities of the 2030 transport system and looks in more detail at the intelligent and sustainable linkages between nodes. The essay concludes with a synopsis of the objectives achieved in relation to reducing the need to travel whilst safeguarding quality of life. It moves on to suggest how Vision 2030 can be implemented in countries in transition or the developing world. The generic nature of the model endeavours to allow easy applicability in its entirety or just facilitating elements of it. It is hoped that through the planning experiences of the developed world, and an annual international Vision 2030 congress, developing countries can learn from mistakes and plan for a better transport future. (A)
Publication Year: 2003
Publication Date: 2003-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
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