Public transport effects on road traffic - potential and limitations

The use of roads depends on transport modes used by people and movers of goods. While rail, water and airborne transport do not make direct demands on the road network, access to their terminals requires road transport. The use of public transport depends on its price and service characteristics in relation to current travel needs and these in turn depend on modal characteristics network coverage and capacity. This note looks at the use of public transport today, how it has changed over recent years and the role it is likely to play in the future. The use of different means of transport depends on the types and patterns of service required by people and logistics personnel. These have changed over the years with increasing reliance on road transport, with its greater ubiquity, flexibility and adaptability. A similar picture emerges for non-road transport modes. Strong social and economic changes underlie these trends but they are also susceptible to policy influences.