Approaches to changing modal split: a strategy and policy context

There has been a growing awareness and acceptance, in recent years, that the value of transit provision must be measured in more than just operational, economic, or financial terms, but rather against a wider framework which includes both the environment and specific impacts on different sectors of society. Methods of evaluating transit are including more and more 'quality-of-life' indicators, transit is no more being seen as a self-contained and isolated element of urban living but as an integral part of what constitutes quality of life. The paper first looks at how public transit relates to environmental benefits, social and community benefits, energy savings, economic advantages and land-use savings. It then identifies some of the obstacles to change. Finally, the paper describes briefly the conclusions of a study which examined a number of strategies which were influenced but what was feasible in a town of a specific size. It concludes that any strategy requires two elements, the first of which must persuade the motorist not to use his car through some form of restriction, and having achieved that objective, the second element must present an alternative which aims to minimize any loss of amenity to the displaced traveller.