There is an implication in the notion of 'transport policy' that substantial improvements could be made to the transport system given sufficient ingenuity, investment and good will. This paper argues that such policy aspirations cannot cope with the desire for ever-increasing mobility, a deep and powerful force in modern society. In densely populated countries there is no possibility of meeting the demand for unconstrained movement through construction of additional transport infrastructure, since new and longer journeys would quickly fill the extra capacity until the congestion equilibrium is re-established. What limits mobility in practice is the time individuals have available for travel, time which is equitably distributed. Transport plans need to acknowledge this time constraint as fundamental, and accordingly be realistically modest about what is achievable. It is an illusion that the transport system could be substantially more efficient whilst remaining equitable.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Limitations of transport policy


    Contributors:
    Metz, David (author)

    Published in:

    Transport Reviews ; 22 , 2 ; 134-145


    Publication date :

    2002-01-01


    Size :

    12 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown



    Limitations of transport policy

    Metz, David | Online Contents | 2002


    Limitations of transport policy: A rejoinder

    Metz, David | Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2003


    Limitations of transport policy: a rejoinder

    Metz, David | Online Contents | 2003


    Comments on 'The limitations of transport policy'

    Mackett, Roger L. | Online Contents | 2002


    Comments on 'The limitations of transport policy'

    MacKett, Roger L. | Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2002