TRENDS IN TRANSPORT: JAPAN AND BRITAIN COMPARED

A general comparison is made of the two transport systems, designed to enable those looking at specific aspects to judge how far comparable conditions apply. The greater population density in Japan, especially in urban areas, is associated with a lower car ownership level than in Britain, despite recent rapid growth. A much greater difference exists in car use, resulting from fundamentally different attitudes, government restraints, a high quality public transport system and a framework of taxes and allowances which favours public transport commuting. The last-named may be transferable to Britain, but not some of the more basic attitudes. Rail holds a far higher share of total domestic passenger-kilometres than in Britain or other western countries, car use still comprising less than half the total. Very heavy flows are carried by private railways. In contrast, rail is even weaker in the freight market in Japan than Britain. Buses play a similar overall role, although very much subsidiary to rail in Japanese cities. Recent trends show a high and stable level of public transport use in Japan, compared with decline in Britain. Likely future trends also conflict. The paper concludes by examining to what extent experience is transferable, and what "lessons" each country might learn from the other. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1767712
• Corporate Authors:

  GORDON AND BREACH SCIENCE PUB.

  AMSTERDAM:
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• Authors:
  • White, P R
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 43-52
• Serial:
  • Transportation Planning and Technology
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0308-1060
  • Serial URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/gtpt20/current

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Automobiles; Buses; Competition; Economic growth; Freight transportation; Knowledge; Modal split; Motor vehicles; Ownership; Physical distribution; Public transit; Railroad transportation; Taxes; Transfers; Transportation; Transportation modes; Trend (Statistics); Work trips
• Uncontrolled Terms: Experience; Growth rate; Transportation systems; Use
• Geographic Terms: Japan; United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 1243: Car; 741: Goods traffic; 265: Growth rate; 8053: Japan; 621: Journey to work; 675: Modal split; 744: Public transport; 1173: Rail bound transport; 268: Tax; 1155: Transport; 6515: Trend (stat); 8119: United Kingdom; 9084: Use; 315: Vehicle ownership
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Society; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452078
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 31 1985 12:00AM