The Future for Interurban Passenger Transport: Bringing Citizens Closer Together

These conference proceedings bring together ideas from leading transport researchers from around the world related to the future for interurban passenger transport A first set of papers investigates what drives demand for interurban passenger transport and infers how it may evolve in the future. The remaining papers investigate transport policy issues that emerge as key challenges: when to invest in high-speed rail, how to regulate to ensure efficient operation, how to assign infrastructure to different types of users, and how to control transport’s environmental footprint by managing modal split and improving modal performance.



Economic growth, trade and the concentration of population in large cities will intensify demand for interurban transport services. Concurrently, the need to manage environmental impacts effectively will increase. How successful we are in coping with demand will depend on our ability to innovate, to manage congestion, and to improve the quality of transport services. Technological and regulatory innovation will shape the future of transport.


Table of Contents

Theme I: Trends and Developments in Interurban Travel Demand
The Prospects for Inter-Urban Travel Demand
International Air Passenger Transport in the Future

Theme II: Adapting the Intermodal
Network to the Passenger Market: Long-term Planning and Assessment
When to Invest in High-Speed Rail Links and Networks?
The High-Speed Inter-City Transport System in Japan
Interurban Passenger Transport

Theme III: Competition and Regulation of Interurban Travel: Towards New Regulatory Frameworks?
Competition or Co-Operation in Public Transport
Lessons from the US Transport Deregulation Experience for Privatization
Long-Distance Bus Services in Europe: Concessions or Free Market?
Long-Distance Passenger Rail Services in Europe
Competition for Long-Distance Passenger Rail Services

Theme IV: Transport System Interactions and Innovation
When Should we Provide Separate Auto and Truck Roadways?
Dedicated Lanes, Tolls and its Technology
The Informed and Oriented Transport System User
Potential Economic Impacts of Technological and Organizational Innovations in Intermodal Access to Major Passenger Terminals

Theme V: Sustainable Interurban Mobility
Environmental Aspects of Inter-City Passenger Transport
The Economics of Co2 Emissions Trading for Aviation
The Contribution of Strategic Environmental Assessment to Transport Policy Governance
Does Strategic Environmental Assessment Change Outcomes?


SUMMARY CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND TRANSPORT INSIGHTS FROM THE NEW ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
3. WHAT DRIVES DEMAND FOR INTERURBAN TRANSPORT?
4. ASSESSING HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECTS
5. GOVERNANCE: HOW MUCH (DE)REGULATION?
6. ASSIGNING INFRASTRUCTURE
7. HARNESSING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
8. SUSTAINABLE INTER-URBAN MOBILITY
9. STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
10. FINAL SESSION