City passenger travel - yesterday, today and tomorrow

This paper briefly examines the history and growth of the modern city with particular emphasis on the period from the industrial revolution. Two observations are made: the industrial revolution changed the very nature of the city, and developments in mass transport enabled cities to expand their size but with the city centre still serving as the principal commercial and entertainment areas. In more recent times the private motor car has led to a decline in the need for mass public transport and is also leading to a decline in the importance of the city centre. The result is that public transport which operates along fixed routes and fixed times is now uneconomic to operate and largely inefficient, requiring massive injections of public funds to maintain operations. The introduction of small hired electric vehicles offers a future solution for the problems of urban transport. These would provide a high degree of flexibility and personal convenience without the burden of the high cost associated with current public transport or the high pollution and space usage associated with private cars. These vehicles would also provide the desirable side benefits of increased safety and energy conservation.

• Authors:
  • Loder, B
• Conference:
  • Irf World Meeting, 9th, 1981, Stockholm, Sweden
• Publication Date: 1981

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 149-61

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile ownership; Electric vehicles; Energy conservation; Forecasting; History; Leasing; Passenger transportation; Public transit; Towns; Travel demand management; Urban transportation; Vehicle safety
• ATRI Terms: Electric vehicle; Energy conservation; Forecast; History; Leasing; Passenger transport; Public transport; Town centre; Transport demand; Urban transport; Vehicle ownership; Vehicle safety
• Subject Areas: Energy; History; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01420976
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 24 2012 8:20AM