SIXTH SYMPOSIUM ON THE FUTURE OF CONURBATION TRAFFIC V: RESEARCH EXPENDITURE AND TECHNICAL PROGRESS IN URBAN TRANSPORT

This paper examines the pattern of research and development conducted in and for surface transport in Great Britain. There are significant variations in the research inputs of different modes of transport, most noticeably, little research and development in public road service vehicles and a heavy concentration in the private motor car industry. In research on railways, the urban element of rail travel is seen to have been rather neglected, despite the existence of urgent problems. It is suggested that radical solutions are necessary. Research and development expenditure should be related to the likely number of beneficiaries (as reflected in the current travel pattern) and the technological opportunities of the relevant mode there should be major encouragement of research and development for public transport despite declining revenues and severe operating problems. In this way, marked technical improvements may be achieved instead of trying to sustain, by subsidised fares alone, systems which are technologically inferior and which are likely to suffer a loss of traffic and revenue although their costs will remain substantially unchanged. The motor companies should also be given greater encouragement to seek more basic advances in transportation than marginal improvements to private motor cars. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Manchester University, England

  Department of Extra-Mural Studies, Holly Royal College
  Manchester M60 1QD,   England 
• Authors:
  • Stubbs, P C
  • TYSON, W J
• Publication Date: 1972-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 74-92
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Manchester University, England
  • Publisher: Manchester University, England

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Benefit cost analysis; Buses; Commuter service; Development; Economic analysis; Financing; Industries; Planning; Public transit; Railroads; Rapid transit; Research; Research projects; Rural areas; Technology; Transportation modes; Urban areas; Urban transportation; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Research and development
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Railway
• ITRD Terms: 1057: Air transport network; 1272: Bus; 244: Financing; 332: Industry; 744: Public transport; 8557: Research project; 328: Rural area; 1145: Transport mode; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Highways; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Research; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00131430
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Conf Paper
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 14 1976 12:00AM