Transport Crucible . com

Transport planners in Britain generally work for local government authorities or in transport consultancy and engineering firms that are contracted to develop local or centrally funded projects. In theory, transport planners are engaged to develop solutions to specific problems, or improve existing sections of infrastructure in the most cost effective ways. In theory, the changes these professionals make to the way transport works is for the greater good. In practice, many ‘improvements’ by planners do not make transport better for the majority. See ‘more’ below for an LTT ‘Viewpoint’ about this by LM. In practice, planners develop schemes in accord with prevailing orthodoxies on what is ‘sustainable’ etc. which significantly skews the assessment of costs and benefits. In reality, the costs in increased congestion for the most widely used road modes are often ignored or significantly under estimated when plans involve changes that, will (in theory) improve walking or use of bicycles and public transport or encourage modal shift away from use of private motor vehicles.
Presenters of the theories on which UK policy is based are mostly either transport policy academics or transport systems modellers. The most influential academics are based in government funded centres for transport in which the vogue for constraint, especially of private motorised modes, is a key element in the teaching and research that is granted funding. Some modellers are also in academia, but most work in the private sector. Read More »