REPORTS ON OECD CONFERENCE ON "BETTER TOWNS WITH LESS TRAFFIC" AND FIELD VISITS TO VARIOUS WESTERN EUROPEAN CITIES--APRIL 1975

Field trip reports are presented which highlight current practice in urban transportation in Europe. The report of visits to 3 case study cities (Munich, Bern, Besancon) notes many innovative concepts, and the European emphasis on mid-range programming (6-10 years). The importance of form, size, population density, dispersal characteristics, and historical and cultural restraints in relation to transportation is emphasized. The European countries which submitted case studies at the Conference reported measures to restrict the use of the private auto, and measures to promote the use of public transit. A visit to Nottingham, Leeds and London has shown that where pedestrianization has taken place, business has improved; community groups must be included in the planning process; and good public relation schemes must be implemented. The conference also provided for exchange of information related to systematic problems that arise when a traffic restraint is undertaken. A report is made of a visit to several European cities (in England, West Germany, and Netherlands) engaged in the use of public transportation and/or traffic management to reduce the adverse impacts of automobile traffic. A report of general and specific observations, notes that European programs are geared to a total system concept, and are much less inhibited by transfers or constrained by safety hazards. Specific observations made in Munich, Bern and Besancon are discussed. A report on a visit to Sweden notes the success of traffic restraint schemes. Such restraints are part of a larger process of city planning, citizen involvement and traffic management whose goal is to gradually alter the traffic flow so as to achieve the same standards of safety and environmental quality as is achieved when planning new developments.

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/171/171.pdf
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  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
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  Transportation Research Board

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  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Publication Date: 1975-10

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: 47 p.
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 171
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile travel; City planning; Communities; Commuter service; Energy conservation; Environmental engineering; Field studies; Foreign; Mode choice; Park and ride; Parking facilities; Pedestrian areas; Public relations; Public transit; Rapid transit; Traffic control; Traffic flow; Traffic restraint; Traffic safety; Transportation planning; Urban areas; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Community support
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128805
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 21 1981 12:00AM