TRANSPORT SYSTEM MANAGEMENT WITH PRIORITY FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This article discusses how to control the growing demand for transport more sustainably for cities and the environment. Important methods, based on new information and control technolgies, are becoming available for modifying expected traffic. However, they alone cannot guarantee the operability of the whole transport system, and its continuing compatibility with the environment. There is a special need for economic and financial conditions to encourage public transport. Only then will it be possible to develop an urban culture that is well adapted to inhabitants' needs. Modern transport management techniques can significantly improve the neglected parts of built-up areas. Various advanced transport system management projects in Germany are described briefly. Infrastructure measures complement traffic engineering measures, aimed mainly at optimising traffic flows. Road pricing is a highly effective but delicate control instrument. Interconnecting different transport modes should reinforce the required sharing of workload between cars and public transport. Transport management and the deliberate prioritisation of public transport require extensive efforts to make public transport more attractive in various ways.