Travel reduction strategies: intentions and outcomes

doi:10.1016/S0965-8564(99)00034-8

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Volume 34, Issue 5, June 2000, Pages 321-338

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-8564(99)00034-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Continuing growth in travel has led to concerns about the environment and sustainability, and hence the need to attempt to reduce travel, particularly by car. This paper considers the types of travel reduction strategy available, in terms of the implicit mechanisms of switching or substitution by which travel would be modified or reduced, and evaluates their potential impacts by means of four case studies in European cities. It is found that the various travel reduction strategies have had qualified success. The strategies to some extent achieve reduction in car travel, mainly through switching to other modes, although also through reduced travel distance. However, the scale of the reduction is relatively small and may be offset by new traffic generation. In addition, in some cases the objectives of the measures, although potentially having a travel reduction contribution, are not always aimed directly at travel reduction as such, and therefore may not be able to deliver the intended travel reduction. The paper concludes that the way forward would appear to lie in setting clear policy objectives and in assembling travel reduction measures into strategy packages, ensuring that when combined the measures are complementary towards the policy objectives of travel reduction.

Introduction

The environmental impact of transport ranges from the consumption of fuel and land to the effects of pollution, noise and vibration, as well as accidents, visual intrusion and community severance. As transport is a significant contributor to the consumption of scarce resources and overall environmental damage, it is necessary for transport policy to address ways of reducing these adverse environmental impacts. Various policy options are available to do this: for example, the use of technology to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles, or the design of the transport system to minimize the environmental impact of vehicles and infrastructure. A further means, and a fundamental one, is to attempt to reduce the amount of travel itself.

When examining the trends in travel patterns taking place over recent decades, it is clear that, firstly, there is an ongoing absolute growth in travel, and secondly, that the most significant growth is taking place in travel by car and by air. It is noted for example that these modes are the most polluting ones in terms of emissions of harmful gases Nijkamp et al., 1995, Banister, 1999. At the urban level, it is the increasing use of the private car both in relative and in absolute terms which is of particular significance, and therefore identifying and putting into effect strategies for reducing car travel become particularly important. The concern about environmental impacts and the implications for sustainability as a result of these trends point to the need to attempt to reduce travel CEC, 1992, CEC, 1993. In the European context, this means a net reduction in vehicle kilometers traveled, particularly by environmentally damaging modes of transport, such as the car. It can under certain circumstances also mean a reduction in trips through substitution (e.g., telecommuting) or trip chaining.

The aim of this paper is to examine the types of travel reduction strategies which are available to policy makers and evaluate their potential impacts by means of case studies. The paper firstly notes the trends which have contributed to the need to consider reducing travel, and how policies may be applied to these trends. Categories of measures with travel reducing potential are then identified, and these are related to the implicit mechanisms of switching or substitution by which travel would be modified or reduced. The paper examines the impacts of particular measures by means of case studies in three countries. Conclusions are drawn on the effectiveness of the measures and implications for the future application of travel reduction strategies.

Section snippets

Travel reduction strategies

Over the past 10 yr (1985–1994), there has been a substantial growth in car travel in the 15 European Union countries (a 40% increase in passenger km). This is conventionally explained by a 31% increase in car ownership, the increase in the length (+10%) and capacity of the road network, rising income levels and a modest population increase (+3.4%) (Marshall et al., 1997). In contrast, the growth in bus travel (+6%) and rail travel (+3%) has been limited (Eurostat, 1997). These trends are

European case studies

This review of case studies is intended to demonstrate the outcomes arising from the implementation of travel reduction strategies in three European countries. The approach is to select cases involving a variety of measures which illustrate key mechanisms and travel behavioral outcomes. It is therefore demonstrative of the significant points which need to be borne in mind when relating travel reduction intentions to outcomes, whatever individual measures might be under consideration.

This review

Discussion

From the case studies it is seen that it is possible to reduce car travel, principally through modal shift away from the car or through reduced travel distance. In specific circumstances it has been possible to target particular sectors of demand to effect this reduction. For example, specific measures may encourage a target group of users (e.g., company employees) or users in a target situation (e.g., commuters to a particular location) to change their behavior.

The successes in achieving

Acknowledgements

This paper was presented at the IATBR Eighth meeting in Austin, Texas September 1997. We are grateful for that opportunity to present results of the DANTE project, and for the comprehensive comments given by the two anonymous referees.

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