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TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION EFFECTS: A REVIEW OF INTERACTION TENDENCIES AND TRAVEL

Advanced communications technologies are growing and evolving at a very rapid rate. Penetration rates of mobile phones are expanding globally while household Internet access in the US is up to 30% of all homes. E-commerce, whilst still in its infancy with only one in every ten US homes ever having used it, is growing and, if the stock market is a reflection of future expectations, is seen as the world's most dynamic sector. Some prestige cars are now fitted with office facilities (facsimile, internet, telephone) as well as satellite positioning. Simultaneously, however, traffic volumes are constantly growing - congestion and environmental issues are causing major political and social concerns in the US and Europe. Road traffic levels have grown in all countries. With the widespread growth of urban sprawl, however, public transit is seldom a viable alternative for the car and with limited scope for additional road building in most cities alternative transportation solutions are being sought. While much of the local pollution associated with the automobile has been considerably reduced trough the adoption of new technologies, it has not been eliminated and the problem of greenhouse gas emissions remains. In response to these concerns, many public authorities in Britain have launched major travel awareness initiatives, predominantly aimed at increasing individuals; and firms' "susceptibility to change." The emphasis on public education arises out of research findings indicating that lack of familiarity with alternatives to the car have a significant impact on the propensity toward car dependence. Alternatives may take the form of teleworking, transit, non-motorized transport or car-pooling. The European Union has wider initiatives aimed at fostering a system of what it considers 'sustainable transport.' This seeks to establish policy packages of sticks and carrots that would stimulate the use of alternatives to the automobile. A large part of the focus is the correction of transportation prices and taxes to reflect externality costs such as congestion and environmental change. In the US there is a greater overt and popular interest in the ability for advanced technology to contribute to alleviating traffic congestion. This includes intelligent transportation systems but also the use of technological alternatives to travel. Inherently, the American culture is proudly car dependent and the US urban form is also different to most European cities. There are fewer desirable alternatives available so a slightly different emphasis to that in Europe is required.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 293-313

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00804780
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 10 2001 12:00AM