The Orbit Multi-Modal Study: developing a long term sustainable management strategy for the M25

The London Orbital Multi-Modal Study (Orbit) was one of a series of multi-modal studies undertaken for the Department for Transport (DfT). Multi-modal studies have examined problems of congestion on the strategic road network and sought solutions from all modes of transport. The overall aim of Orbit was to examine the existing and future problems for orbital travel around London and to produce a long-term sustainable management strategy for the M25, which met the Government's objectives for transport and solved, or at least ameliorated, the problems on the M25, both now and in the future. The congested sections of the M25 carry high volumes of car drivers with widely dispersed origins and destinations, many travel long distances, and most travel alone in their car. Most could not make their journeys efficiently using the existing public transport system. Government forecasts indicate that, between 1997 and 2016, there will be 10% more people, 19% more households, 15% more jobs and 34% more cars in the Orbit study area. As a result, without the recommended strategy, travel times would markedly increase and journeys would become even more unreliable. The recommended solution was to combine road construction with the measures to reduce and control traffic levels. It was found that area-wide road user charging would substantially reduce both the volume of car commuting and the average length of commuting trips by car on the M25. The charged area would include London, the M25 and a large part of south east England, but a national scheme would be preferred. It was also concluded that developments in the vicinity of the M25 which generate large volumes of car trips need to be controlled so that the benefits of the newly provided road capacity are not eroded. Travel times and reliability would be better than in 1997 and these benefits would be maintained through to 2021 and beyond. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.