Introduction
Transport is at the heart of so much that affects our daily lives. A strong economy that can compete internationally requires high-quality networks to distribute goods efficiently, must enable people to travel to work and on business reliably, and provide the freedom of movement for everyone to enjoy their lives. Easy access to education, health and leisure facilities also forms an integral part of the service that transport systems must offer.
Over the next 20 years, forecasts suggest there will be a steady trend of economic growth and rising population, creating additional pressures on our transport networks. At the same time, industry and commerce will stress the need to avoid the costs of inefficiency caused by congestion and unreliability, while the public will demand a higher quality journey experience and increased mobility.
However, public funds for investment and operations are likely to remain restricted, and there is limited political or public appetite for major new roads. We will have to make more effective use of our transport systems to meet new and shifting patterns of demand. When allocating limited funds available for extending and revising transport networks, we will need to ensure we have a detailed knowledge of the underlying rationale, as well as the broad implications and interdependencies.
But transport is about more than movement of goods and people. How we travel and the technology we use has a major impact on levels of carbon emissions and other pollutants. It also has a significant effect on lifestyle and wellbeing – for example, promoting active travel, particularly walking and cycling, has the potential to make an important contribution to public health. Furthermore, the quality of our built and natural environments, and how we use them, is affected by our transport infrastructure. Its design needs to lift the public realm in a style sympathetic to local sensitivities, so that people can connect with one another safely and in surroundings that encourage social fulfilment and economic activity. Design in the public realm, which has too often been overlooked, should be a crucial element of transport systems.
