The Urban Transport System

This chapter describes the present condition of the urban transport system. Metropolitan areas around the world are suffering from growing congestion as the demands for transport services are higher than the supply. In high income, developed countries, it is observed that continued growth in car ownership and private vehicle travel are increasing at the expense of non-motorized travel and use of public transport. Growth in private vehicle travel is explained primarily by rising per capita income, and secondarily on policies that accommodate private vehicles through increased road supply, parking availability, low fuel prices, etc. This chapter describes the urban transportation problems faced today and discusses the major factors of these problems.